Conservatives call for ‘Charles Line’ linking up the major cities of the North of England to spearhead reforms for the region
- MPs want Elizabeth Line equivalent for Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford
- John Stevenson, chairman of Northern Research Group, will tell conference
A ‘Charles Line’ connecting major cities in the North of England must spearhead reforms for the region, Tory MPs will tell Rishi Sunak today.
An equivalent to the cross-London Elizabeth Line should be built to connect Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Bradford, John Stevenson, chairman of the Northern Research Group (NRG) of Conservative MPs, will tell the organisation’s national conference.
He will also call for a special Cabinet minister for the North with the power to invest £5billion in the region every year, and further devolution of power away from Westminster.
The Prime Minister will also be told that current housebuilding policy is ‘skewed towards the South’ and more must be built in northern England.
During the speech at the conference in Doncaster, he will say: ‘Look at London and the Elizabeth Line – it is already recognised as a huge success, perceived to benefit the whole of London, even if you do not use the line.
A ‘Charles Line’ connecting major cities in the North of England must spearhead reforms for the region, Tory MPs will tell Rishi Sunak today. Pictured: A train crosses the River Irwell between Manchester and Salford
An equivalent to the cross-London Elizabeth Line (pictured) should be built to connect Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Bradford, John Stevenson says
‘We have a similar population in our northern city belt of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Bradford.
‘Why should we not be aspiring to the Charles Line?
‘A train link which properly and efficiently connects these major cities in exactly the same way.’
Former Tory party chairman Jake Berry will also urge Mr Sunak to move away from the ‘broken model’ of ‘Blobonomics’ by returning power to the North and avoiding reliance on civil servants.
The NRG wants the plans put in the next Tory manifesto.
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