Levelling up is Boris Johnson’s missed opportunity, what will Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss do? – The Yorkshire Post says

IT is indicative of the extent to which Boris Johnson’s London Government has lost its sense of purpose that his premiership is already coming to an unedifying end before his levelling up blueprint – supposedly his flagship domestic policy – has even been published – as Christian Wakeford, one ‘‘red wall’’ MP, defects to Labour in despair.
By YP Comment
Published 20th Jan 2022, 05:52 BST
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is tipped to succeed Boris Johnson.Chancellor Rishi Sunak is tipped to succeed Boris Johnson.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is tipped to succeed Boris Johnson.

This is why those now vying to become PM, including Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, must set out specific plans on how they would tackle regional inequality. Leaving aside Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and his cheap shot that metro mayors have been “irrational” with their response to his rail plan, Yorkshire and the North wants Ministers to make good on their 2019 election promises.

Exclusive: Grant Shapps brands mayors ‘irrational’ over criticism of £96bn Integrated Rail Plan and Northern Powerhouse Rail downgrade

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Two new reports testify to this. The House of Lords Constitution Committee, headed by former Dewsbury MP Ann Taylor, challenges Whitehall to “rationalise the funding pots available to local government” so town halls do not waste so much money on convoluted bids.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, London, to attend Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament.Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, London, to attend Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, London, to attend Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament.

Meanwhile the Northern Culture Inquiry, presided over by a cross-party group of MPs, is adamant in its view that the quality of life – and also educational opportunities – can be transformed with a greater focus on the arts, museums and leisure.

Yet the problem, as this Parliament approaches its mid-point, is that Mr Johnson’s government still does not know how it wants to level up the country. Rarely, if ever, has such a significant opportunity to change Britain for the better been squandered to such an extent, hence why the onus is already on the next PM to pick up the pieces if they can – or are so inclined.

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Related topics:Boris JohnsonLiz TrussYorkshire PostGrant ShappsRishi Sunak

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