Salford MP and Labour leadership candidate Rebecca Long Bailey gave her vision for the future of local Government to Labour members.

“We need a compelling vision for local government ahead of the next election – one that involves devolving genuine power to local levels of government and, crucially, the funding to make it real.”

(Rebecca Long Bailey)

The Salford MP also said she would empower trade unions to negotiate ‘an end to the 24/7 work culture’ and stop employees receiving work emails outside of their normal working hours. She also pledged to begin a council house building boom if she became leader. Kier Starmer received on 53% in the poll, enough for him to win on the first round of voting. with Bailey in second place on 31% and Nandy on 16%.

However, a February YouGov poll of Labour members has put both Greater Manchester Labour MP’s, Bailey and Lisa Nandy trailing in the race to become next Labour leader.

It was announced by the Prime Minister that HS2 had been given the green light, here’s how Greater Manchester reacted;

“The green light to get on and build HS2 is the right decision for the UK. It is an ambitious and significant step forward in releasing the Northern economy from the straightjacket of poor infrastructure that has held it back for so long”

(Barry White, Chief Executive of Transport for the North)

“Delivering an integrated High-Speed North rail network will fast-track the rebalancing of the economy. The station at Manchester Airport, acting as a hub for the new network, will ensure millions more people across the North and the Midlands have access to high-speed rail services and international markets.”

(Machester Airport)

“Today’s announcement by the government on HS2 is a definitive, positive step forward with this crucial project delivering the next stage and transformation of the UK rail network. The Chamber has been a long-time supporter of HS2 and this is vindication that this is the right scheme to help promote future growth and unblock huge swathes of the rail network.”

(Chris Fletcher, Greater Manchester Chamber’s Policy, Campaigns and Communications Director)

Andrew Stephenson was then appointed HS2 minister by Boris Johnson, he was also given the responsibility for the Transpennine and Northern Powerhouse Rail routes. H vowed to ‘keep a firm grip on these vital projects’.

David Steel resigned from the Lib Dems and quit the House of Lords following criticism at his handling of allegations of child abuse against Cyril Smith. His resignation followed a damning report from the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse which concluded that Political institutions significantly failed in their responses to allegations of child sexual abuse for decades.

Manchester Day looked for community groups, volunteers and organisations to be planet protectors and agents for change that take on this year’s theme: Our Planet. Our City. In 2019, the city announced a Climate Emergency that means sustainability and climate issues are central to all decision making in the city.

Police arrested a man after a mosaic in the Northern Quarter in Manchester was vandalised. The ‘…And on the sixth day God created Manchester’ mosaic – which is on a property on Short Street in Manchester city centre – was vandalised.

Greater Manchester Police launched a forever amnesty following the success of Operation Sceptre’s week-long knife amnesty, which ran in September 2019, and saw over 600 knives deposited in amnesty bins across Greater Manchester. The forever amnesty saw ten knife amnesty bins permanently placed in police stations throughout the region.

Storm Ciara caused chaos with strong wings of up to 70 miles per hour and flooding in some areas. Travel and events were disruptive with Manchester City’s Premier League game against West Hame being cancelled. With some people being evacuated in Bury and Ramsbottom due to the River Irwell bursting its banks.

The Greater Manchester area was issued with a yellow warning of rain later in the month as Storm Jorge hit the region.

Tributes were paid to long-serving Trafford Council councillor Jane Baugh, who sadly passed away. Cllr Baugh was first elected in 1990 and represented Broadheath Ward for 14 years before moving to Priory Ward in 2004. She served the Council with great distinction for a total of 30 years.

Hans Zimmer was announced to be composing the soundtrack for James Bond: No Time to die with Billie Eilish and aided by Manchester’s Johnny Marr in creating the track as well as being a featured guitarist on the official soundtrack.

A 100-year-old dog lover adopted an adorable Old Age Pooch (OAP) in need of a new home. Staff at Dogs Trust Manchester were delighted when Marjorie Rigby and her daughter, Angela Bottomley, visited the Denton-based rehoming centre.

They told the team they were looking for an older, small dog who was full of fun but enjoyed a cuddle and an afternoon snooze. Straight away staff knew they had the ideal canine companion – eleven-year-old Patterdale Terrier, Paddy.

Dakota Manchester revealed plans for an extensive refurbishment of its waterside terrace, which was unveiled later in 2020. With a one-million-pound investment, the terrace complements the hotel’s restaurant, bar, Champagne Room and Cigar Garden.

Locals were given the chance to win studio time with Kano, by replacing 3 bars from hit track ‘Pan-Fried’ in a specially made booth in the Arndale Centre. Adidas Originals and JD Sports collaborated with music artist in a campaign to celebrate the iconic Superstar shoe with an initiative entitled ‘3 bar Superstar’.

A new hotel opened it’s doors, Hotel Brooklyn, located right in the heart of Cottonopolis (on Portland Street). Designed by Squid Inc, the name Brooklyn was inspired by the New York Borough – chosen for its resonating similarities to Manchester: its buzzing industrial growth and powerfully vibrant identity and culture.

Tyson Fury took on Deontay Wilder in their highly anticipated rematch. The first encounter ended in a controversial draw and saw the Manchester native pull himself off the canvas in the 12th and final round in one of sports most dramatic moments of the year.

The rematch was less of a contest as Fury walked down Wilder and bullied him, eventually stopping the fight in the seventh round as the American’s corner threw in the towel.

Sad news broke as it was announced that Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg passed away at the age of 87. Gregg survived the Munich air disaster in 1858 after joining United the year before for a transfer fee of just above £20,000, at the time making him the most expensive goalkeeper.

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