North vs South? Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen accuses Andy Burnham of trying to 'play politics with a virus that doesn’t discriminate'

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has accused Andy Burnham of “trying to pit the North against the South” in the deadlock over lockdown measures with the Government.

Greater Manchester metro mayor Mr Burnham was locked in a tense standoff with ministers prior to the announcement of a second national lockdown as he pushed for more support for his area as it was put under Tier 3 measures.

But speaking to think tank Bright Blue’s podcast, Tory Mr Houchen said Labour’s Mr Burnham was “politicking and grandstanding”.

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He condemned claims by Mr Burnham that the UK Government was “discriminating” against the North over lockdown measures in Greater Manchester and other Northern regions such as South and West Yorkshire, when they were moved into Tier 3 restrictions prior to the announcement of a full lockdown in England.

Left, Tees Valley Conservative mayor Ben Houchen, and right Greater Manchester Labour mayor Andy Burnham.Left, Tees Valley Conservative mayor Ben Houchen, and right Greater Manchester Labour mayor Andy Burnham.
Left, Tees Valley Conservative mayor Ben Houchen, and right Greater Manchester Labour mayor Andy Burnham.

He said: “This whole idea of Andy Burnham, trying to pit the North against the South, is nonsense. It’s the prevalence of the virus. Let’s not forget it was London that went into lockdown first and the North of England didn’t. That wasn’t discrmination against the South of England, that was the prevalence of the virus in places like London and the South East.”

But a spokesman for Mr Burnham said they were surprised Mr Houchen had not made similar representations on behalf of those he represents.

Mr Houchen said: “I think this is the saddest thing to come out of the pandemic, that there are now people trying to capitalise and play politics with a virus that doesn’t discriminate against Tory or Labour, North or South.”

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He added: “It would have been discriminatory to the North of England to put us into lockdown when London was in lockdown. [The Government] only did so once the virus began to spread and now vice versa … I get tired of that political argument because it’s a false one and it pits the public against each other when we should be coming together at one of the most difficult times we’ve ever experienced as a country.

“I just think it’s irresponsible leadership from Andy [Burnham]. What he's trying to do is create political discourse when what he should be concentrating on is what’s best for his local people, nevermind what’s best for the people of the UK.”

But Mr Burnham’s spokesman said: “It’s a bit surprising that he has come out with these politicking and grandstanding comments when the Mayor of Greater Manchester worked with Government to implement Tier 2 restrictions in the very early stages, but then when the Government gets it wrong it’s the responsibility of the mayor to speak up for the area.”

In reference to the differences in furlough payments of 67 per cent available under Tier 3 restrictions which predominantly affected the North, compared to those of 80 per cent now available under national restrictions, the spokesman added: “When the Government brings in a discriminatory policy that means workers in the North are worth just two thirds of their counterparts in the South, we are surprised that the mayor of Tees Valley was not also speaking out for his area.”

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Mr Houchen was not completely supportive of the Government, restating his stance that the Government should be providing free school meals over the holidays.

He said: “I think the Government did get it wrong. Having introduced this scheme in the middle of a crisis and a pandemic to help the most vulnerable in society, it was this government that did that, to then end such a scheme part way through a crisis that hasn’t yet been resolved and we’re not yet out the other side of.

“One, it sent the wrong message, because the Government has put in many billions of pounds for businesses, local people, and the vulnerable as well. So from a messaging point of view, it was poorly handled.

“I also don’t think that changing a project on that scale, that size and nature is the right thing to do in the middle of a pandemic.

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“I understand that some people think the voucher system is flawed, and there is an argument to suggest that it is flawed, in that it isn’t getting to the vulnerable children to make sure that they are getting the food that they need during the school holidays.

“But is the middle of a pandemic the best time to address that? Or do you make sure that you do as much as you can and you accept and take on the chin that maybe a small percentage doesn’t get through.”

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