The Mancunian Way: A suit and tie day

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Here's the Mancunian Way for today:

Hello,

Today was so significant for Greater Manchester that Andy Burnham wore a suit.

The mayor - who once told GQ he buys reduced Armani suits - has largely abandoned them since leaving Westminster, instead preferring a style he can wear ‘to the match at weekends’. But he pointed out that he was suited and booted for one of our region’s most significant moments today - the signing of the new Trailblazer devolution deal.

Levelling Up minister Dehenna Davison, the mayor and the ten council leaders were there to sign the deal - described by the Conservative minister as ‘bloomin brilliant’ and ‘a giant leap to full fiscal devolution’.

Joseph Timan witnessed the historic moment at the new Manchester College campus and tells me that Ms Davison told the audience Greater Manchester is ‘poised to lead us through a fourth industrial revolution’. She also spoke about a Benjamin Disraeli speech delivered at the Free Trade Hall and quoted that lesser-known political commentator, Noel Gallagher.

Before the signing, the mayor and minister were shown around the college and visited a new dance studio. Joseph reports there was a moment of terror when Mr Burnham suddenly panicked that he would be asked to do a performative dance to mark the occasion. Ms Davison shared his horror, apparently confessing: “My moves are a bit more Theresa May than I'd like to admit”.

You can read Joseph’s full report on the momentous occasion on the M.E.N. website this evening.

People living in Salford and Manchester are