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29
Jun
North Yorkshire mayor hails ‘incredible’ Andy Burnham after Manchester speech
David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, had a front row seat at Andy Burnham’s speech in Manchester today.
Mr Skaith and fellow northern Labour mayors Tracy Brabin, Oliver Coppard and Steve Rotheram were among those at the People’s History Museum for the eagerly-awaited speech.
Mr Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister next month, pledged to create a new Downing Street team called No 10 North in Manchester as part of plans to devolve more power from Westminster.
He also said he would oversee the biggest council house-building programme post-1945.
Mr Skaith said afterwards:
The plan Andy set out this morning meets the ambition and scale of change that this country has been calling for. One of hope. One that puts trust, backed by investment, in the people who know their communities best. Giving them the tools to address the huge challenges facing us all. That can only be a good thing.
What Andy has achieved in Manchester, despite Whitehall resistance, is incredible. We can do the same in York and North Yorkshire with the trust, powers, investment and confidence that Andy set out today.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said:
“The government is descending into chaos and no one is dealing with the serious and urgent threats that this country faces.”
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