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Daily calls for more ‘strong’ voices for North after special investigation

A regional daily has called for more “strong, independent voices” to fight for the North of England nationally after running a special investigation.

The Northern Echo has looked into the progress of the Northern Powerhouse project after a number of different areas of the region were ordered to implement new coronavirus restrictions by Westminster.

The Darlington-based Echo was among more than 30 northern newspapers to take part in the ‘Power Up The North’ collaboration, launched last year with the aim of tackling the North-South divide.

The Echo splashed on its investigation on Thursday, pictured below.

Northern Power

Speaking to HTFP, Echo editor Karl Holbrook praised the “fearless reporting” of the recent lockdown struggles by titles such as the Manchester Evening News.

Karl recently moved from the North-West to the North-East in order to take over the Echo after previously editing the Bolton News and Lancashire Telegraph.

He said: “It is clear to me, now more than ever that the North needs strong, independent voices to fight on its behalf on a national level.

“There is a real feeling up here of a growing disparity, unequal treatment and, to be frank, contempt for the north from many of those in power.

“We at the Northern Echo, and others like Andy Burnham’s particularly poignant stand this week and fearless reporting from the likes of The MEN and others, are determined to give our communities that unique, local voice now and into the future.”