LAST autumn, Chancellor George Osborne began to use a phrase that attempted to sum up his vision for a more prosperous north of England.

The two words “Northern Powerhouse” at that point did not mean much in real terms - I am not sure they mean a great deal more now - but that did not stop Mr Osborne from repeating them whenever he was in front of an audience.

During his Autumn Statement, throughout Budget day, even during a pre Election event last month at the Nifco car parts factory in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, the Chancellor continued to tell anybody who would listen that a vote for his party was a vote to bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.

What started as a catchy term has now become a job for North-East MP James Wharton, who was yesterday handed responsibility for overseeing the Northern Powerhouse.

Mr Wharton's appointment came a day after Middlesbrough-born Greg Clark was chosen by Prime Minister David Cameron to replace Eric Pickles as Communities and Local Government Secretary. These are both positive moves for our region that should boost opportunities for our voice to be heard at Westminster when discussions take place about devolving powers to local decision makers, and improving transport links.

I admit that I have been very cynical that Northern Powerhouse was little more than spin doctored buzz words that aimed to position the Conservatives as a party with the north's best interests at heart.

I have also been very concerned that the Chancellor's view of 'the north' is focussed on Greater Manchester and pays lip service to the needs of Tees Valley and the wider North-East.

For example, in March, the Government, in association with transport and local regeneration chiefs, published a 41-page report titled Northern Powerhouse: One Agenda, One Economy, One North. The words Tees Valley appear in the document twice, while Durham appears only once. Stockton, Middlesbrough and Darlington do not warrant a single mention. The word Manchester, on the other hand, occurs 31 times.

If Northern Powerhouse starts to deliver some genuine, measurable benefits to our region - faster transport links, more better paid jobs, fewer zero hours contracts, and unemployment levels that are in line with the national average - then I will be happy celebrate them on these pages.

I wish Mr Wharton and Mr Clark every success in their new roles. They have been given the power to help make a real difference to our region.

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