Partnership between Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester was a key theme for this year’s Heseltine Institute Annual Lecture which featured a wide-ranging conversation with Metro Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham.
Hundreds of people from across the region filled the beautiful surroundings of the Concert Hall in St George’s Hall to hear the two Mayors discuss their shared vision for collaborative governance that empowers local communities.
In an insightful discussion chaired by BBC journalist and University of Liverpool alumna Mairead Smyth, Steve and Andy spoke about their book ‘Head North: A Rallying Cry for a More Equal Britain,’ setting out a radical and humane vision for the future of the country.
During their conversation, followed by a lively question and answer session, the mayors covered a range of topics including rail connectivity across the North, fiscal devolution and the proposed Hillsborough Law.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “Andy and I wrote Head North as a rallying cry for a fairer, more equal Britain—because we know the North has the talent, the ideas, and the determination to lead that change. Our discussion was about bringing those ideas to life and showcasing how collaboration between our regions can be a blueprint for empowering our communities. I’d like to thank the Heseltine Institute for hosting us in such a stunning venue, and for creating a space to share our vision for a stronger, fairer North where opportunity is within reach for everyone.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “John Prescott and Lord Heseltine were instrumental in giving devolution a platform. These two figures did more to advance the cause of the North and the North of England’s devolution than any other politician until George Osborne.
“We are very conscious, Steve and I, that we stand on the shoulders of true political giants. We left Westminster together because we said we were going to give it our all to build devolution. We hope our book explains to everyone how and why we did this, and sets out our path for the future of devolution.”
Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Professor Tim Jones formally introduced Steve and Andy and spoke about his vision for closer collaboration between Liverpool and Manchester.
Professor Jones took the opportunity to announce the creation of the Liverpool-Manchester Innovation Partnership. This new collaborative venture between the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester aims to combine the two universities’ shared specialisms in Sustainable supply chains in speciality chemicals; Quantum technologies; Nuclear research; and Creative Industries.
The partnership between the Universities aims to benefit the whole of the region and ensure the North West remains a fantastic place to live and work.
Sue Jarvis, Co-Director of the Heseltine Institute said: “Devolution and place-based policy are at the heart of our interests at the Heseltine Institute, and Steve and Andy are key figures in demonstrating how local leadership can deliver real change. We were delighted they could join us for our annual lecture and provide insights on the key challenges facing the North West.”
Professor Catherine Durose, Co-Director of the Heseltine Institute said: “Now in its third year, the Heseltine Institute annual lecture is an important fixture for informing policy debate in Liverpool City Region and beyond. It was fantastic to be joined by two high profile metro mayors who work so closely together, and to have such a great turnout for the lecture.”
From L to R: Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Jones, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Andy Burnham, Sue Jarvis (Heseltine Institute), Mairead Smyth (BBC North West Tonight), Lord Michael Heseltine and Professor Michael Parkinson (Ambassador for the Heseltine Institute).
You can view the lecture again online here.