THE Chancellor has announced that he will be championing a “revolution” in the way the country is governed with more powers being sent to local councils.

George Osborne used his first speech of the new parliament yesterday to extend his vision of a devolved Britain, which would see powerful economic regions being given extra powers to be more independent.

He said: “Here’s the deal: we will hand power from the centre to cities to give you greater control over your local transport, your housing, your skills, your healthcare and we will give you the levers you need to grow your local economy and make sure that local people keep the rewards.”

The vision will be laid out in full during the Queen’s Speech to open this new parliament and the plans are designed to help areas outside London to rival the capital.

Mr Osborne said the Conservatives want to end a “broken” political system which sees power concentrated in Whitehall and they will push through the legislation.

In his speech in Manchester, Mr Osborne said the new powers would only be available to cities which agreed to an elected mayor to act as a central figure who “carries the can” for decisions.

He used Manchester as an example of what devolution can deliver and called their plan a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for change with “radical devolution to the great cities of England”.

The northern city will be the first to benefit from extra powers, with plans for an elected “metro mayor” for the whole of the Greater Manchester region, and Mr Osborne encouraged other areas to follow.

He added: “But it’s right that people have a single point of accountability, someone they elect, who takes the decisions and who carries the can.

“So with these new powers for cities must come new city-wide elected mayors who work with local councils.”

He added: “My door is open to any other major city which wants to take this bold step into the future.

“This is a revolution in the way that we govern England, it is power to the working people of our country and it means a stronger democracy and greater prosperity for all.”