Don't undo your good work, Andy Burnham, by stereotyping the North

Andy has done some fantastic things for the region, but he needs to step back and think before he endorses a viewpoint that many of us find stereotypical

Andy Burnham has announced his candidancy in the Manchester mayoral race (Getty)

Andy Burnham’s sweeping statement that “if you say you want to be a doctor, lawyer or MP [in the north] you get the mickey taken out of you” is absolute drivel. Coming from the mouth of the man who has put himself in the running for the Mayor of Manchester, one wonders who is controlling his PR and if they’re currently burying their head in their hands in exasperation.

Let’s be clear: it is not “hard growing up in the north” if you’re aspirational. Ridiculous, stereotypical statements made by those in the public eye are what make growing up in the North difficult.

We are forever benchmarked against the South as if we’re the disappointing younger sibling, always trying to be as good but not quite there yet.

Burnham needs to take a serious look at his campaign strategy and ask himself if it's possible to be elected Mayor of Manchester while he is publicly slandering the city’s inhabitants. A comment such as this would be hurtful if it was uttered by any politician, but the fact that it emerged from the mouth of a man who is supposed to represent a northern constituency in Parliament is almost farce.

Do not mistake me, Andy has done some fantastic things for the north, and I applaud for him for his work, but he needs to step back and think before he endorses a populist viewpoint that many of us northerners find offensive.

The government is trying to build a “Northern Powerhouse”, but how are they supposed to do this when that entire section of the country is stereotyped as underachieving, and not that bothered? Foreign investors must be running away from the area when they hear comments like that; they will view us as a low-productivity workforce with no intention of bettering ourselves.

I look at my friends, schoolmates and colleagues – I know doctors, I know students who have gone to Oxbridge, a number of lawyers and many people who have gone into politics with the aim of being an MP or social commentator. They have been supported by their schools, universities, parents and friends. They have been supported by their community. That's aspiration.

I happen to have a rather strong Scouse accent, and I’m asked at least once a week if I’m going to "rob someone". Geordies? Everyone thinks they just go out on the ale every night of the week because they've seen an advert for Geordie Shore, yet Newcastle is vibrant, flourishing city economy.

Anyone who happens to come from Yorkshire is a miner, apparently. It’s difficult to progress in your career, and permanently have these jokes thrown at you, regardless of your level in an organisation. It can take a lot of courage for people to move far from home to London to follow their aspirations, so it doesn’t help them to progress and flourish if they’re subjugated as “that northern one” and made to feel like an outsider.

Let’s take a moment to look at cities such as Liverpool and Manchester. Liverpool has cleverly marshalled its cultural history to spark the regeneration of its city, boosting the local economy. All residents have benefited from the changes in Merseyside in recent years. It is an aspirational place to be. Manchester, meanwhile, is often considered as the capital of the north – in commerical terms at least. Both cities also boast Russell Group universities.

Do these places sound like they were built by half-arsed people who take the mickey out of those who strive to better themselves? I don't think so, and it's not my experience either.