Rumour, from a good source, has it that Labour are seriously considering including a pledge to create the Royal Opera House Manchester as part of their manifesto.
It is known that North West Arts will need to cut funding to the RLPO as a result, because of the huge expense of trying to keep an opera company alive in their region and the likelihood that ticket sales will not be able to achieve the sort of prices obtained in London. It is also highly like to spell the end of opera companies visiting the Liverpool Empire.
Labour are intrinsically opposed to Liverpool: they believe in ONE "englandsnorthwest" city, and that is called Manchester. The fact that serious people are considering putting this in the manifesto (an idea that comes from Leese) despite knowing it harms Liverpool is despicable.
I think those who love Liverpool City Region, and want its arts led regeneration to continue, will know how to vote.