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A devolution revolution will unite North and South

Most Londoners still don't identity with their borough the way they do with their neighbourhood: Getty Images
Most Londoners still don't identity with their borough the way they do with their neighbourhood: Getty Images

This election has once again seen the emergence of a North versus South debate, as competition to win over Workington man (and woman) intensifies. But the North and London aren’t at war with each other — quite the contrary, we are making common cause like never before.

The focus on the North is sharpening as we approach polling day; partly because the electoral maths takes Boris Johnson’s path to a majority government through Penistone in Yorkshire up to the North-East via Bishop Auckland, and across to Workington.

We come together now from the perspective of London and the North to emphasise that closing the North-South divide and bringing this country together is not a zero-sum game.

The North benefits from the presence of a global city of London’s importance on its doorstep but is disadvantaged by the over-centralisation of political power in Whitehall that is as much of a frustration to London Mayor Sadiq Khan as it is to the Metro Mayor of the Sheffield City region, Dan Jarvis; Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds council; and Andy Street, the West Midlands Mayor. The country needs a devolution revolution and all the parties promise much.

The Conservatives wish to extend devolution to places where it has not been delivered, Labour’s manifesto backs One Yorkshire, and the Lib Dems back more funding to local authorities. There has been effective collaboration between mayors and the Northern cities, dating back to when Boris Johnson was Mayor of London, and we cannot be divided but must remain united with our allies who want to deliver change for their cities.

As business-led organisations, both the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and London First work closely on issues such as skills and infrastructure investment and are committed to continue doing so. Increasing expenditure on infrastructure is a no-brainer. We need both Northern Powerhouse Rail, supported by all the parties, but also Crossrail 2. It’s particularly disappointing for Crossrail 2 to be absent from manifestos where the leaders of those same parties have previously backed it.

Northern Powerhouse Rail will stimulate demand, making transformational economic growth possible, and Crossrail 2 will boost capacity on a heaving transport network, while unlocking jobs and homes. HS2, of course, unites the interests of London and the Northern Powerhouse, bringing the country together, and unlocks more capacity to London from places such as Milton Keynes, as well as getting into Sheffield or Manchester.

A devolution revolution for London’s mayoralty and the Northern Powerhouse will unite the country. A partnership of equals in the future, always allies, collaborating and not competing to ensure the UK grows together and we win the global race.

Henri Murison is director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Jasmine Whitbread is chief executive of London First.

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