The North of England must be given a voice as Britain negotiates leaving the EU, new Prime Minister Theresa May has been told.
A joint letter was published this morning from the heads of authorities in Greater Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Yorkshire.
It says the North has a stronger economy than Scotland and a larger population than London and urged Mrs May to listen to what the North needs in upcoming Brexit negotiations.
The letter also invites Mrs May to Greater Manchester as soon as possible to meet with regional leaders.
It reads: “Your efforts to meet leaders outside London is commendable. However, the North of England has long had concerns that we are being ignored, caught between an economically and politically powerful London and an increasingly politically important Scotland.
“We noted and understood your reasons for meeting with Scotland’s First Minister in your first week as Prime Minister.
“As we negotiate our exit from the European Union, you have made clear that you believe in having an approach and negotiation objectives that include the whole of the United Kingdom.
“On that point we wholeheartedly agree. It is absolutely vital that the voice of the North of England is heard loud and clear during the Brexit negotiations.
“The North of England has a population greater than London and almost three times that of Scotland. Our economy is significantly larger than Wales’ or Scotland’s.”
The interim Mayor of Manchester is the current Police and Crime Commissioner and former Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd.
He was writing on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Other signatories to the letter are Mayor Joe Anderson of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Cllr Paul Watson from the North East Combined Authority, Sheffield City Region Combined Authority leader Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE, and Cllr Peter Box of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
