Manchester mayor denies ‘slagging off’ London

The mayor of Greater Manchester has denied “slagging off” London.

Labour’s so-called “King of the North” Andy Burnham served as MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017 when he stood down to run for the mayoralty of Greater Manchester.

Mr Burnham has frequently called for better funding for northern England, arguing that London is treated more fairly.

He told an event during Labour’s annual party conference this morning that: “It’s not about pulling London down but saying, ‘What about us?'”

He also called for better transport funding for northern regions.

His remarks followed Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s comments in a fringe meeting : “One of the things we have got to do is remind our friends from the North, in our own party, why London-bashing, talking London down, is not a sensible way to have a national recovery.

“The message to those in our party who think it plays well slagging off London is you will not get a national recovery without a London recovery.”

When asked about Mr Khan’s comments, Mr Burnham said: “I in many ways praise London… It has a public transport system that’s brilliant.”