I want Manchester to become the UK's "second city" as a matter of national priority - Lord Jim O’Neil
Leading economist, Lord Jim O’Neill argues that Manchester should be made Britain’s second city and significantly more powers should be shifted to regions such as the West Midlands, the North-East and Glasgow..
The ex-Treasury Minister, has called the current obsession with narrow fiscal constraints “bonkers”, and recommends a “Northern Elizabeth Line” to unlock connectivity across key UK cities.
Lord Jim O’Neill also advocates for powers for regions to raise local taxes, he said “When I mention that to policymakers here, they think I'm bonkers. And the only reason they think I'm bonkers is because it's never happened. But because it's never happened, why does that mean it shouldn't happen?”
He said: “How can people, as well-intentioned as they may be sitting here in Whitehall, have the slightest idea about what's really needed in these local areas? It's virtually impossible. People here (in Westminster) need to have excitement about giving responsibility to local people in these places to make a national difference. If you could have, say, three or four other places, West Midlands, North-East, probably West Yorkshire and two or three others … if they all could be doing the same as Greater Manchester has done, and Manchester carries on doing, the national growth performance of the UK, the trend rate of growth, would rise.”
Adding: “Glasgow would be a place that could make a difference to the national growth performance. So I'd definitely include Glasgow.”
Additionally, in a discussion on Lord Speaker’s Corner, with the Lord Speaker Lord McFall of Alcluith, Lord O’Neill said: “Thomas Heatherwick, the great young architect, said to me, "I have this crazy idea about making Manchester the second city of the country and it being a national priority." I said, "You're right."”
The episode is the latest in a series of Lord Speaker’s Corner podcasts which has previously included Lord Heseltine, Lord Kinnock, Baroness Kidron and Lord Patten among others. A YouTube link to Lord O'Neill is available here.