Labour says it’s time Northern Olympics – just as Burnham faces Reform | Politics | News
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described what Conservatives say is time to bring the Olympics to the North of England as a “cynical attempt” to distract from Labor disarray and “win favor” ahead of the Makerfield by-election. The government has launched a “strategic review” that could pave the way for a push to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to the North in the 2040s. Experts will examine whether England can host the Games for the first time since London 2012.
Culture Secretary Ms Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world. But while the North of England drives such sporting excellence – whatever the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create and the world-class events we attract – we have been told for too long that the Olympics are too big and too important to be held in the North. Not anymore. It’s time the Olympics came to the North and what they’ve done to the world.” “We have shown what we can deliver, and I couldn’t be happier to announce that we have started shooting in a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”
The announcement comes just days before Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to be confirmed as a candidate in the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for him to potentially challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labor leadership. Reform UK will seek to build on their success in local elections by winning the seat and deepening the crisis within the Labor Party.
Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston said: “Just as the Makerfield by-election has been called, this appears to be a cynical attempt by the Government to gain favor and divert attention from the infighting and backbiting that has engulfed Labor. We will always support sport and investment in facilities in every corner of the UK, but taxpayers will want to know whether this is a serious plan or a political ploy.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves insisted the Government would give its “full support” to efforts to bring the Games to the North.
He said: “England’s sporting prowess is recognized and respected around the world. It’s something we’re committed to leveraging to bring life to our communities and build a stronger, safer economy. That’s why we’re fully supportive of bringing the Games back home, which will strengthen our Northern Growth Corridor. That’s why we’re also backing stadium regeneration schemes such as Elland Road to deliver new homes, jobs and public spaces in Leeds and beyond.”
A new “stadium regeneration accelerator” plan will see the Government work with sports bodies to develop sports infrastructure that “can help deliver local regeneration and business growth”. Upcoming sporting events include the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. UEFA Euro 2028 is estimated to generate £3.2 billion in benefits.
The government supports bids to host the World Athletics and Para-Athletic Championships in 2029, as well as the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Former Northern Powerhouse minister Sir Jake Berry, who now supports Reform UK, said: “This is great news. The North has so much to offer and it’s right that more people around the world have the chance to see it. Unfortunately this announcement feels more like a cynical attempt to win the Makerfield by-election than a plan to support the North with meaningful investment. People in the North are crying out for real investment, real jobs and real belief in our communities, not headline-grabbing gimmicks.” “We are commissioning an assessment of whether we can host an Olympics in the 2040s.”
