Football pundit and property developer Gary Neville has launched a blistering attack on the Conservative government, accusing them of failing the North of England and calling for their removal from power.
The former Manchester United defender didn't hold back during an interview with The Independent, describing the Tories' approach to northern development as "unforgivable" and labelling their much-vaunted Northern Powerhouse project as essentially "non-existent."
A Scathing Assessment of Tory Leadership
Neville, who has become increasingly vocal about political matters in recent years, expressed particular frustration with what he sees as empty promises on devolution and infrastructure investment.
"They've had 14 years," Neville stated, referencing the Conservative Party's time in government since 2010. "The Northern Powerhouse doesn't exist. It's just a line."
From Football Pitch to Political Commentary
The Sky Sports analyst has significantly expanded his influence beyond football in recent years, developing major property projects in Manchester and co-owning League Two side Salford City.
His transition into political commentary has seen him become one of the most prominent northern voices criticising Westminster's approach to regional development.
Cleverly's Defence and Neville's Rebuttal
When presented with Home Secretary James Cleverly's defence of the government's record, Neville remained unconvinced. The minister had pointed to mayoral devolution deals and transport investment as evidence of progress.
Neville countered that these measures represent "the basics" rather than the transformative change the North desperately needs, arguing that the region continues to receive significantly less investment than London and the South East.
A Call for Political Change
The former England international made his position clear: "I want them out." His comments reflect growing frustration in northern constituencies that previously switched from Labour to Conservative in the 2019 general election.
With his platform and profile, Neville's intervention could influence the political debate in regions that will be crucial battlegrounds in the next election.
Beyond Party Politics
Interestingly, Neville emphasised that his criticism isn't purely partisan. While clearly advocating for a change of government, he expressed concerns about the overall health of British politics and the need for more substantial devolution of power away from Westminster.
His comments highlight how regional development has become one of the key fault lines in UK politics, with northern voices increasingly demanding more than just promises from central government.
