George Osborne is seeking to revive his political career by keeping the Northern Powerhouse dream alive.
Osborne was recently relegated to the back benches after Theresa May’s post Brexit referendum cabinet reshuffle but has now been appointed chair of the government backed Northern Powerhouse Partnership, saying that “The Northern Powerhouse is here to stay”.
In his new role, the ex-chancellor will lead the partnership in bringing together northern business leaders and politicians to lobby the government to push ahead with regional devolution and commission research that will drive the Northern Powerhouse forward.
It has been previously suggested that the PM was uninterested in the Northern Powerhouse but Osborne is keen to emphasise that the partnership has the full backing of the government.
“Chairing this new partnership will now be a major focus of my political energies,” he said.
“There’s a real excitement now in the north about what we can achieve if we work together. I don’t want us to lose that.
“That’s why I’m so pleased major businesses, civic leaders and others have worked with me to create this new Northern Powerhouse Partnership.
“I’m also glad that the government has given its support.”
Another vocal supporter of the concept, Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, feels that Britain’s vote to leave the EU has made the Northern Powerhouse concept more important than ever.
“The uncertainty following the Brexit vote in the EU referendum makes economic stability, confidence and support for strategic commitments such as the Northern Powerhouse more important than ever,” he said.
Osborne has been a vocal supporter of the Northern Powerhouse idea since he launched the concept in 2014.
The project aims to rebalance the economy away from London by boosting the northern economy through devolving powers and funds to the northern regions, improving transport links and creating new regional mayors.
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