Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Thu May 14, 2015 3:08 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

What is a Northern powerhouse?

It's a method of linking all the call centres to each other, so that DWP staff can demand that someone in Hull must accept a zero-hours, NMW job in a call centre in Rainford because they can get there 5 minutes quicker

[DaveO]

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Thu May 14, 2015 3:17 pm  

It's a stupid idea as proposed by Osborne. For a start it imposes a Mayor who will have real power and far from making this more democratic it removes it from the council and councilors.

And what about the effects on the surrounding regions who won't have whatever extra powers GMR gets?

I am surprised Richard Lees has fallen for the ruse. He's also ignoring the electorate who rejected the idea of a London style Mayor (twice in the recent past I think).

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 6:05 am  

DaveO wrote:

It's a stupid idea as proposed by Osborne. For a start it imposes a Mayor who will have real power and far from making this more democratic it removes it from the council and councilors.

And what about the effects on the surrounding regions who won't have whatever extra powers GMR gets?

I am surprised Richard Lees has fallen for the ruse. He's also ignoring the electorate who rejected the idea of a London style Mayor (twice in the recent past I think).

It also takes central government one further step away from economic responsibility. Probably the main reason for the proposal

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 6:47 am  

cod'ead wrote:

It also takes central government one further step away from economic responsibility. Probably the main reason for the proposal

When they are lead by a man who distances himself from every controversy or difficult decision, preferring instead to have henchmen and women take the flack (step forward IDS) then its no surprise that delegating difficult budget responsibilities would be placed on another strata of fallguys/girls.

Soon we won't need a central government at all.

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 12:17 pm  

JerryChicken wrote:

Soon we won't need a central government at all.

Would that necessarily be a bad thing?

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 12:18 pm  

As I understand it the NE and West Yorks have or are likely to sign up too?

It will be interesting to see how this goes. If it goes well then these areas will start to boom and finish the Labour party off for good over time?

Another scenario may be that the localities, likely in the short-term to be Labour controlled will have to raise local taxes to try to keep the health services, etc up and running. That will prove unpopular, we may see cities going bust / hospitals closing / being privatised by the nack door. In this scenario Labour also loses.

Smart politics from Osborne. But to give him the benefit of the doubt it is a potentially bold move that gives these areas a degree of autonomy to develop themselves. Gives them a chance to get out of the shackles of a Labour party that has had a vested interest in perpetuating poverty and largesse via the public sector in order to gain votes.

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 12:24 pm  

Dally wrote:

As I understand it the NE and West Yorks have or are likely to sign up too?

It will be interesting to see how this goes. If it goes well then these areas will start to boom and finish the Labour party off for good over time?

Another scenario may be that the localities, likely in the short-term to be Labour controlled will have to raise local taxes to try to keep the health services, etc up and running. That will prove unpopular, we may see cities going bust / hospitals closing / being privatised by the nack door. In this scenario Labour also loses.

Smart politics from Osborne. But to give him the benefit of the doubt it is a potentially bold move that gives these areas a degree of autonomy to develop themselves. Gives them a chance to get out of the shackles of a Labour party that has had a vested interest in perpetuating poverty and largesse via the public sector in order to gain votes.

Leeds and Newcastle both rejected it when it was put to them a couple of years ago.

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 12:41 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

Leeds and Newcastle both rejected it when it was put to them a couple of years ago.

I know but I thought it was firmly back on the cards?

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 1:37 pm  

Dally wrote:

I know but I thought it was firmly back on the cards?

I've not heard anything official from within LCC, but a new Labour leader of the council has just been appointed, so maybe they'll do what the Mancs did and push it through without consulting the electorate again. Time will tell.

Re: A Northern Powerhouse : Fri May 15, 2015 2:54 pm  

Come, join us, we have pies...