Há pouca disputa de que a Grande Manchester seja mais avançada do que outras regiões que conseguiram concordar com acordos de devolução nos últimos anos. poderes adicionais sobre habilidades, educação e treinamento; e a oportunidade e a responsabilidade de reunir e gerenciar os cuidados sociais e o serviço de saúde. O executivo-chefe do Conselho da Cidade de Manchester, Sir Howard Bernstein, e o líder Sir Richard Leese, foi o estabelecimento de um prefeito de metrô. A Grande Manchester tem sido difícil para o nível local que ele liderou o que muitos vêem como um impulso bem-sucedido para combater o sono áspero nas ruas de Manchester. Da política da linha de frente, perdeu a região, uma grande líder de torcida no coração do governo. Apesar de ser um conservador, Osborne reconheceu o pragmatismo e a capacidade do Manchester Labour de entregar grandes projetos. Seu sucessor não tem nenhum afeto pelo Norte ou George's Pet Powerhouse Project. Mas uma hora com Burnham ou Leese lhe dirá que a frustração deles com o intervalo do projeto de devolução está começando a aumentar. Espere mais ruído dos líderes da cidade nos próximos meses.
As the original ‘Northern Powerhouse’ poster boy back in 2013, Manchester struck an agreement with the government and then-chancellor George Osborne that provided the city-region with a significant financial up-lift to deliver local infrastructure projects; additional powers over skills, education and training; and the opportunity and responsibility to bring together and manage social care and the health service.
The big vision would se HS2 come into Piccadilly and a fast train-link across the North connecting the major cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle – with Manchester very much seen as the hub.
Part of the initial ‘Devo-Manc’ proposition, which had been worked on over a period of many months by the chief executive of Manchester City Council Sir Howard Bernstein and leader Sir Richard Leese, was the establishment of a metro mayor.
Arguably Andy Burnham, an already well know political figure having served as a Labour government minister and shadow minister, has been the most high-profile of the mayors elected across the country.
As well as using his ‘soft’ powers to put pressure on Westminster when he has felt Greater Manchester has been hard done to at a local- level he has led what many see as a successful drive to combat rough sleeping on the streets of Manchester.
A better deal than other regions, a political landscape that still looks more stable than any comparable area and a figurehead punching his weight, all looks rosy in Manchester’s garden.
And yet…
Osborne’s forced retirement from frontline politics has lost the region a big cheerleader at the heart of government. Despite being a Tory, Osborne recognised Manchester Labour’s pragmatism and ability to deliver big projects. His successor has neither the affection for the north or George’s pet powerhouse project.
The failure to get confirmation that HS2 will get the go-ahead, Whitehall paralysis due to Brexit and please for more devolved powers for the regional government structure that is now in place has fallen on deaf ears.
Manchester is still the ‘blueprint’ city-region that others watch and learn from. But an hour with Burnham or Leese will tell you that their frustration at the stalling of the devolution project is starting to increase. Expect more noise from the city’s leaders in the coming months.
