This is a landmark moment

PM Keir Starmer writes for the M.E.N. on his plans to give our region 'more power & control'

- KEIR STARMER

JUST a few days after Labour won the General Election in July, I invited every regional Mayor to Downing Street Labour or Tory. It was a statement of intent.

After decades of power-hoarding from national governments, I was determined to reset the relationship between Westminster and the great cities, towns and counties of England.

And today I set out a vision that delivers on that ambition with a plan to unlock the potential of every corner of our country.

Because first and foremost, this is about economic growth.

Putting money in the pockets of working people - wherever they live in Britain is the number one priority in the Government's Plan for Change.

But devolution is crucial for realising this mission.

After all, England is one of the most centralised countries in the world.

And it's no coincidence that a political system which hoards power goes hand-in-hand with an economy that hoards potential.

It's common sense people with skin in the game make better decisions about their communities. They know their patch. They understand the problems. And they're best placed to deliver the solutions their community and our country needs.

So what does more devolution mean for Greater Manchester? Greater Manchester has already seen the transformative impact that devolution can have. Always a trailblazer, the city region was one of the first places outside of London to receive devolved powers in 2014.

Since then, devolution has been central to Greater Manchester's growth story, becoming the largest city region economy outside London.