Greater Manchester's nightlife tsar Sacha Lord has joined the Labour Party, he has announced today. However, he has 'categorically' ruled out standing as an MP.
Co-founder of the Warehouse Project and Parklife festival Mr Lord, 50, was appointed as the region's first-ever Night Time Economy Advisor by Andy Burnham in 2018.
During that time he has been a vocal supporter of the industry during both the Covid lockdowns and cost-of-living crisis and has made numerous recommendations on issues such as transport, safety and cultural diversity in the region.
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Though his political affiliations have never previously been disclosed. Today (Wednesday) he revealed he has officially become a member of the Labour party.
He said during his four years working with the Mayor's office he had seen the "positive difference" former Labour frontbencher Mr Burnham had made and that he wanted to "support him in giving Greater Manchester and the North West a louder voice. "
He said he was warmly welcomed to the party by their leader Sir Keir Starmer who he met last week to discuss culture and the nighttime economy.
Giving his reasons for the move, Mr Lord, who says he 'categorically' won't stand as an MP, hit out at the Tories accusing them of "quashing ambition, limiting entrepreneurship, and implementing policies that restrain our cultural progress" during their 12 years in power.
"This is a move I have been wanting to make for a long time, and the current political circumstances have hastened this ambition," he said.
"I have seen the positive difference that Andy has made during my time working with the Mayor’s office, and I want to support him in giving Greater Manchester and the North West a louder voice.
“Young people and young families today must be given the same opportunities I was given throughout the early stages of my career under the previous Labour Government.
"Not only was entrepreneurialism encouraged, but there were policies in place to help people get their first steps on the property ladder or discover new career paths, both geographically and across industry sectors.
“Over the past 12 years, I’ve watched the Conservatives take away these opportunities, by quashing ambition, limiting entrepreneurship, and implementing policies that restrain our cultural progress and our ability to work with our international counterparts..
“We need a change in Government and for me, the only Party to deliver opportunity is the Labour Party. I fully support the Labour Party in their ambitions to lead the country and I look forward to working even more closely with the Party going forward.”
Mr Lord was also welcomed to the party by Manchester Central MP and the Shadow Culture secretary Lucy Powell.
“I’m really pleased Sacha has taken the step to join Labour" she said. "He’s got enormous experience in business and has been an incredibly strong voice for hospitality and the nighttime economy, both during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. He will be a huge asset to our Party.
Adding:“As the Tories crash the economy, many people are taking another look at Labour, and it’s great to have Sacha in the Party.”
Mr Lord becomes the latest high-profile, previously non-political figure in the region to join Labour with former Manchester United star turned TV pundit and businessman Gary Neville revealing he had joined the party.
Mr Neville, who has been touted by some as a potential future candidate for mayor, then appeared on stage at the party's conference in Liverpool last month.
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