Keir Starmer could face serious problems in the next election if he keeps making the same mistake.
Once again, the North of England is being overlooked. After all the talk about “Levelling Up,” this year’s Spring Statement brings nothing new for the North. Labour had a chance to show it cares about the region by putting money into jobs, infrastructure, and opportunities. Instead, they’ve focused on London and the South, leaving the North behind again.
Back in 2019, Boris Johnson won over many northern voters—not just because of Brexit or Jeremy Corbyn, but because he promised to break the usual mindset in government that ignores the North.
People hoped for a fairer economy, one where chances weren’t only available in the South. But Labour’s actions over the past nine months and this new statement feel like a huge letdown.
Look at where the government is spending money: a new road in the South, a rail line between Oxford and Cambridge, and an extra runway at Heathrow. Meanwhile, the North’s major project—HS2’s northern leg—has been scrapped. When Rishi Sunak cancelled the Manchester stretch of HS2, it hurt. Labour had the chance to fix it, but they made it worse by walking away from it completely. Instead of taking bold action, they did nothing.
This week, Labour tried to calm critics by announcing they’re working on the TransPennine Line again. But this isn’t anything new—it’s just an old Conservative project that started back in 2019. It’s being recycled like it’s something fresh. Do they think we’ve forgotten?
And it’s not just about trains. Education is another area where the North is missing out. Labour could have used this statement to put real money into schools up here, helping northern kids catch up with those in the South. Instead, they’re more focused on political debates while school standards, which got better under the Conservatives, are starting to slip. And it’s the poorest areas—many of them in the North—that suffer most when schools fail.
Take Teesside, for example. Ben Houchen has been working hard to bring jobs and investment to the area. But Labour has cut support for key projects, leaving them unfinished and putting local businesses in a tough spot. The Spring Statement could’ve helped the region—it didn’t.
Labour will say they care, or that they’re looking into things, or that it’s about making “hard choices.” But let’s be honest: when do these hard choices ever benefit the North? It always seems like the money goes to London and the Southeast, and Labour keeps following the same pattern.
People in the North aren’t fools. We can tell when we’re being used. Labour took the North for granted for years—expecting our votes but giving us little in return. Then the Conservatives came along and actually delivered some progress. But even they lost their way, especially down South. Now Labour is back in charge and acting like the North doesn’t matter again—showing very little energy or interest.
The truth is, we’ve seen what can happen when a government actually cares. Under Boris Johnson, Levelling Up meant real investment and real projects. It wasn’t perfect, and it wouldn’t fix everything overnight—but it was a good start. Labour could’ve continued that effort. Instead, they’ve pulled back.
Now, Labour may be enjoying a big lead, but they shouldn’t assume we’re not paying attention. People in the North are watching. And when the next election comes around, we won’t forget who stood with us—and who didn’t.
