LABOUR'S election supremo has warned that the government will not give any more cash to help plans to expand Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram system.
Alan Milburn, the man charged with delivering a third victory for his party, said there would be no government U-turn in the run-up to a General Election expected in May.
Mr Milburn admitted MPs in the region had been "bending his ear" about the planned tram extension, but said Transport Secretary Alistair Darling's policy was "right for now".
Mr Milburn spoke to the M.E.N. after addressing members of the business community at the G-Mex.
He had earlier told the Social Enterprise Coalition's National Conference at the Manchester International Conference Centre that a third Labour victory would "change the contours" of politics for ever.
Q: Greater Manchester MPs have told you the Metrolink situation will cost them votes - or even seats. Do you agree it will have an impact in the next General Election?
A: It is not a question of local MPs thinking their positions are in jeopardy. They want what is best for the communities they represent. Part of that is to bend my ear and Alistair's ear, but the current position is the right one for now. We can't have costs just suddenly trebling.
Manchester has been a huge success story. The trams have been a huge success story. The government has shown it is prepared to commit more than '500m for the Metrolink and Alistair has also said the local transport authority can bid for extra resources. It is now in their hands.
Q: Will Gordon Brown follow Mr Blair as party leader?
A: At the appropriate time, there will be a contest. That time is not now. There is only one leader and that is Tony Blair. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave a major boost to the M.E.N.'s campaign to make Greater Manchester the Whitehall of the North.
Mr Boateng was speaking to the M.E.N. during a visit to the region to see how traditionally-isolated communities were being encouraged to play a greater part in the national economy. Despite giving a confident performance, he had to consult his briefing notes and read a prepared answer when answering questions on Metrolink.
Q: Do you support the campaign to make Manchester the Whitehall of the North?
A: Departments are now having to make decisions as to where they are going to relocate. The healthy competition can only benefit the nation as a whole. It is down to them where they relocate. What I will say is that Manchester is one of the most exciting and buzzing cities anywhere in the world. You have only got to look around you to see why Manchester is such an exciting place and why the quality of life here is so good.
Q: Given the huge importance of the Metrolink extension to Greater Manchester, why can't the Treasury find more money?
A: The costs for the original three-line package escalated massively. What we have done is to commit more than '500m to the Manchester transport network. We are hopeful and believe they will use those funds in a way that benefits as many people as possible in the areas that would have been served by the previous Metrolink plan.
Listen to the interview with Paul Boatend by clicking on the link below.
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Disgrace, i just i knew who else i could vote for i don't have confidence in any other parties, but Labour should be booted out of Manchester back down South where they seem to pump money into any daft idea that crops up as long as it benefits London they will use our taxes, 10 billion for the cross rail i would put a 10 billion bet that figure will increase by at least 50% but because it benefits the only people that matter in England this will still go ahead, us Northerners are just a burden to the government, a means of paying for their extravagance down south. Please someone suggest a alternative party as i have had enough of Labours Southern bias.
Totally agree with G.C. Manchester, the cross rail link cost B#10 billion and no doubt will go up in cost, but i bet they find the money for that, I know labour have lost a lot of vote's over this issue and long may they do, untill they listen.
Does anyone recall other projects our illustrious captial has had the benefit of recieving. There was the Jubilie line extention which was the most expensive railway ever built, at a cost of 250 million per mile. Also this was built to take people to the dome, and an oversized business park. Now they get cross rail and all trains to europe will stop a mile north of the thames. Oh well Im sure I'll be able to walk to my cotton mill, it'll be good for me!!!!
Investment is urgently needed in Metrolink. The problem is that Serco can't even operate the 3 routes they are responsible for now.. I would totally support any camapign to get a better company to run the network, perhaps then the government may have the confidence to invest in what was once a system everyone could be proud off.
How about diverting the questionable monies we tax payers contribute to cabinet members pension packages and use them as they were intended ie for the good of the nation not simply to line the members pockets. public transport is an issue ere oop north. you havent listened on any other issue youve lost my vote phoney tony
Let's show Labour just how much our northern votes are worth by not giving them any.
Cars are choking Manchester to death. Deansgate is bumper to bumper every day of the week. I agree that the current service is sometimes awful, but at least the users aren't sat in a car.
yes i agree. londoners always get what they want! They wanted a Millennium dome they got it and now they want a cross rail, which looks they will be getting that too. Now if we wanted more money for the tram do we get it? NO! Also the question should be asked as to how and why the prices has been inflated so much? Is it because the private contractors know that they will get the asking price and thus satisfy its shareholders?!! There should be more competitors or either that Serco should improve the situation immediately as they are running as few trams as possible, whilst pushing up the prices and making as much profit as possible!!! :( No wonder people are driving their cars, its cheaper, quicker and more reliable!!! Somehow the cabinet ministers seem to justify their raise in salaries! Who allows this to go on and can the person allowing this do the same to everyone?