Rochdale needs to get a fair deal from the ‘Northern Powerhouse’, says Simon Danczuk

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has called on the Government not to repeat the “same old regeneration mistakes of the past” and make sure plans to devolve powers to the north do not concentrate resources solely in cities like Manchester.

Speaking after David Cameron appointed a minister to link up the north’s towns and cities so they can compete on the global stage, Mr Danczuk said it was important that smaller towns were seen as equal partners in decision-making.

“I’m very much of the view that the best decisions are those taken closest to communities instead of in Whitehall,” he said. “But the Government’s devolution drive seems to be focused on core cities and my concern is that the so-called ‘Northern Powerhouse’ will concentrate power in Manchester and places like Rochdale might not get a look-in. We need to grow the economy across the north, not just in the city of Manchester. Trickle down economics is a failed model and it’s important that towns like Rochdale are given the powers and resources to build on their strengths and develop their own distinct economy.”

He added that he shared the view of the Labour leader of Oldham Council, Jim McMahon, that the office of the Metro-wide elected mayor should be located in the northern part of Greater Manchester.

“Jim wants the office in Oldham and I’d like it in Rochdale, but I think we can agree it should be outside of Manchester,” he said. “The south of the city is performing well and has the Enterprise Zone near the airport. The north of Manchester needs more support to help us realise our potential.”

In a further swipe at what he called “city-focused” regeneration rhetoric, he said it was important that the Government and other devolution cheerleaders recognised the historic importance of towns.

“Our economy in the north has changed dramatically over the last 50-years, but many places, particularly pit villages and manufacturing heartlands, have not been given the support they need to adapt. It’s been too concentrated in cities,” he said.

“We should remember the huge contribution towns have made to this country. After all Rochdale gave us the co-operative movement, Barrow in Furness used to have the world's largest steelworks and built the world's biggest ship and Bolton’s inventors like Crompton and Arkwright played a massive role in establishing a dominant cotton manufacturing industry.”