Former Northern Powerhouse minister would say ‘yes, yes, yes’ to Cabinet return
Jake Berry left Government in 2020 but said he would return if asked to represent the North.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry said it would be a “huge privilege” to be asked to return to the Cabinet to represent the North.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has promised to look into the prospect of creating a new northern ministerial role following pressure from backbenchers, PoliticsHome reported on Tuesday night.
Mr Berry was the last Northern Powerhouse minister and, when he stepped back in 2020, the responsibility was handed to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
A Government source told PoliticsHome: “We always want more and stronger northern voices in government.”
Mr Berry told The Yorkshire Post on Wednesday, ahead of the release of the Levelling Up White Paper, the answer will be “yes, yes, yes” if he is asked to take up the mooted role.
“I’ve always been really clear, there’s one thing I want to do in politics and that’s narrow the North-South divide,” the Rossendale and Darwen MP said.
“So if the question is would I accept the job, the answer isn’t yes, it would be yes, yes, yes.
“I’ve not been asked to do it but it would be a huge privilege and it’s all I care about in politics.”
Mr Berry resigned from the Government in February 2020 after turning down a role in the Foreign Office.
No new standalone role representing the North was created and, instead, the responsibility fell to Mr Shapps at Cabinet level.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.