Manchester MP Lucy Powell has warned the Northern Powerhouse agenda risks 'falling off a cliff' when the new Conservative Prime Minister is selected.
Sher urged ministers to support the Manchester Evening News and other media organisations' Power Up The North campaign.
Earlier this week, we joined forces with rival publishers across the north to call for Britain’s main political parties to commit to a revolution in the way government treats our communities.
The collaboration, between 33 newspapers and websites, came exactly a year after the launch of the One North campaign in the wake of unprecedented chaos on the region’s railways.
We are calling on the main parties – and those who aspire to lead them – to spell out what they intend to do, and how they will work with others, to narrow the north-south divide.
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell welcomed the campaign in Parliament on Tuesday, but told MPs southern dominance the Tory party's leadership race may mean the Northern Powerhouse will be neglected further.
"I would also like ministers to throw their weight behind the 'Power up the North' campaign," she told the Commons.
"But given that the current Prime Minister banned all mention of the Northern Powerhouse when she took office, and that most of those looking to succeed her are southern MPs, and one former Mayor of London, isn't there a very real risk that the Northern Powerhouse agenda will fall off a cliff with a new Tory Prime Minister?"
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry responded: "Apart from the £7bn devolution deal; £38m contribution towards the Graphene Centre; £10m relief road; £15m International Screen School; £5m Pankhurst Centre; £243m transport fund for the people in Greater Manchester and her constituency - what has the Northern Powerhouse ever done for us?"
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Earlier this week, Mr Berry backed our campaign and said Boris Johnson, who he is backing in the Tory leadership campaign, is the answer to calls for proper devolution.
"The Power Up The North campaign is exactly what we need - showcasing the North’s great ambition and potential, and what can be achieved with the right support," he said.
Mr Berry added: "What is being called for reflects what I have been working so hard to achieve, and what our new Prime Minister needs to prioritise. That’s why I’m backing Boris Johnson to be our next Prime Minister.
"Boris recognises the power of regional economies and is passionate about backing the Northern Powerhouse. I know he will deliver for the whole country.”
