English National Opera doesn't deserve to come to Manchester if the company thinks people in the city are such "heathens" that nobody would go to its performances, Andy Burnham said today.
Read more: It's time for London to stop moaning and let Greater Manchester have its time - the future of the arts depends on it The mayor was taking part in a panel discussion on 'connecting to create growth in the North' at the conference for Northern political and business leaders held at University Academy '92.
With Rachel Reeves poorly, Labour's Shadow Chief Treasury Secretary Pat McFadden used the afternoon's speech to make the case for “deeper and broader” economic devolution to give communities across the North the tools to “lead in the growth industries”. "They couldn't necessarily get it while they were in the South West, and therefore they needed to come here.
What’s up, is his pal the lord looking into opera and doesn’t like the competition
Manchester is not worthy of the English National Opera.
Burnhan is such an inverted snob.
Fair enough
Don't need ya poncy wailin' vowels up 'ere. Yours sincerely, Proud Heathen xx
So he'd rather Manchester lose investment and future growth?
AndyBurnhamGM If we're such heathens then why do we support the Opera House, the Palace Theatre, the Lowry and Bridgewater Hall.(everyone has been packed out)Don't come English National Opera.
He needs to be sorting out the knife crime problem we have, rather than get involved with opera
One night down deansgate locks would put them in their place. You tell them Mayor.
What about Rochdale ?
Why antagonise them? We have good credentials for supporting the arts.