BACKING the Power up the Northern Powerhouse campaign, the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, called on Parliament to act now.

He said: "I endorse today's unity from the newspapers of the North - and how they're now using their collective strength to speak up for their readers and communities.

There is more that unites us than can ever divide us, and this includes this compelling call for new action by our political leaders to tackle the social and economic inequality that exists here.

And it means our national leaders answering this very important question - do they want the North to be a region with just a great past, or do they want the North to be a region with a future as bright as any other chapter in its history? For every community, every leader that forgets its memory becomes senile.

The answer should be obvious. We have the people. We have the expertise. We are one North. We are proud of our diversity. But we need the tools. And we need our leaders in London to look us in the eye and treat us - and respect the North - as equals.

Our newspapers have highlighted a range of opportunities from industry, skills and training to education, housing and health policy - issues which matter to the 15 million people who live and work in the North.

I hope - and pray - that our political leaders show us how they will support the Power Up The North campaign.

All of us want a North of England that is empowered; prosperous; fair; forward-looking and competitive in a global marketplace inside which there is enough opportunity for us all to share. There is no fear in love. What are our political leaders afraid of? Love us and help us to flourish. Words! Words! Words! We are sick and tired of words. Please do the right thing."