UKREiiF | Manchester is trying to galvanize with London

Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, welcomed guests to the joint Manchester-London pavilion at the Leeds property and investment show with a plea to end North-South political infighting.

Craig said: “I think we live in an era all too often where it’s easy to lose North versus South. It’s easy to play Manchester against London… where it’s too easy for politicians to beat London.

“We need to energize around this clear message that it is our country’s two fastest-growing largest city region economies that drive and drive the UK’s social and economic prosperity.” The Manchester delegation has all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs represented among its 25 partners. Craig checked out a selection of projects promoted this week: Mix Manchester at the airport, Holt Town, St Johns, ID Manchester, regeneration in Salford and Wigan.

Craig added: “Britain needs a strong London, Manchester needs a strong London, but we also need a country that can rebalance our economy. To ensure that the economic opportunities we create in Manchester can be experienced in every town and city.”

Craig hoped investors would take away the message that there remains capacity for growth for at least the next 10 to 15 years in Greater Manchester.

UKREiiF takes place this week at Leeds Docks, with around 13,000 people in attendance. Craig was talking next door Shravan Joshichairman of planning and transport committee, City of London.

North Place is media partner for Manchester at UKREiiF.