LABOUR has ‘neglected the north’ according to the chair of the Northern Research Group (NRG) of Conservative MPs, John Stevenson.

The NRG have released a ‘manifesto for the north’ at the Conservative party conference which includes policies such as a cabinet minister for the North of England and for improved rail connection from Liverpool to Hull dubbed the ‘Charles Line’.

The manifesto also includes plans for ‘devolution max’ in Northern areas and 500,000 new homes.

The NRG is made up of Conservative MPs elected in former Labour strongholds and is designed to ensure that northern voices are heard within the party.

“My view is that Labour have neglected the north, they took it for granted and to some extent still do,” said Carlisle MP, John Stevenson.

“My party have started to do things for the north, and we've been delivering through the towns deal, high street funding, levelling up funding and devolution deals but we think there's still much more that can be done and should be done because if you have a stronger north, you have a stronger Britian.”

The north has been described by Mr Stevenson as the ‘kingmaker’ with marginal seats across the region holding the keys to number 10 for both Labour and the Conservatives.

The Tories took dozens of historic Labour constituencies – including Workington – at the last election in 2019, which led to their largest majority since Mrs Thatcher’s historic third election win in 1987.

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Labour are more than 10 points ahead in the opinion polls which would see them win their first election since 2005 but the NRG hope that a strong northern voice in the Conservative manifesto can help the party hold on to their seats in the north and keep Rishi Sunak in Downing Street.

“The north will be significant at the next election and what we’re trying to do as the NRG is to demonstrate the influence of the north both politically and economically,” said John Stevenson.

“We believe the policies set out would lead to a rejuvenated north of England and we can deliver a pitch to the north saying that they would be better off sticking with the Conservatives.”

The Conservative party conference began on Sunday, October 1 and runs until Wednesday.