The North: A Big Waste of Money
Policy Exchange today released a report saying that Northern cities such as Bradford, Sunderland and Liverpool are beyond regeneration, a waste of public money and that people should move to London, Oxford and Cambridge. Indeed, immediately after graduating from Newcastle University, the vast majority of my talented colleagues did exactly what the report suggested and moved to London.
Whilst it may be slightly deluded to suggest that the streets of the Big Smoke are paved with gold, I can certainly see where some parts of the report are coming from. I lived in Newcastle for several years and visited frequently before that. I have seen the transformation of the Newcastle-Gateshead quayside and the inpouring of investment and government money. I have witnessed the efforts of One NorthEast (£100 million investment 2007-2009) and the university in stimulating business growth. Despite all of this, all of my friends from university appear to have moved to London or abroad because the job prospects are far better and business in the North simply cannot compete with the facilities afforded by Southern cities (such as large airports with decent connections, established international business services and access to centres of power).
The one thing keeping me away from London, however, is that London is rubbish. It has the best jobs, the best people to get to know and the best opportunities for taking over the world. What it doesn’t provide, however, is a person who will say hello to you on the street, clean air for your lungs (although Middlesborough cannot claim to do any better) or the sound of singing birds. If this sounds overly romantic, why did the Taylor report say that half of the urban population “would like” to move to the countryside and only 2 out of 10 urban dwellers want to stay there? Granted, many of those desperate to leave the cities may well live in Bradford, but no-one should ever actively encourage people to move to London.
It is no wonder that the North is “beyond regeneration” given that right-wing snobs are championing the cause of the brain drain to London. Starry eyed graduates seek their fortune and pension rights in over-heated hamster wheels, dreaming of “downsizing” to a house in the country once their status and credit rating are established. The reality is a cold, over-populated, polluted and pallid urban sprawl where people sub-let their sofas and think you’re going to rob them if you ask for directions.
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There are some lovely parts of Bradford and, although I’m not familiar with Middlesborough or Liverpool, I’m sure that there are many parts which can boast a much higher standard of living for a fraction of the cost of London. It may serve the report’s authors well to remember that life is not all about growth, careers and profits, but community, quality of life and green spaces. At least you can get a pint for under a fiver North of Watford Gap.
However, I am minded to note that this incendiary report may well be an attempt by Policy Exchange to court publicity for itself and notoriety as an outspoken right-wing thinktank.
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I’m sorry that I forgot to mention the wonders of Pontefract Cakes, pork pie and mushy peas on Bonfire night, rhubarb from Castleford and Yorkshire Puddings – without which the universe would surely end?
The magnetic pull of London is ridiculously strong, and yes, work should be more evenly spread throughout the country, particularly up north. But let me just clear a few things up, any big city has dangerous areas and a threat of violence. Secondly, London is the exact opposite to a pallid urban sprawl. I can’t think of any place in the world that is as diverse, with literally every single nationality living in one city. This a place where the Brazilian butcher sits next to the Iranian pastry shop, which is opposite a Portugese cafe. My only gripe with London is that there is TOO MUCH going on, it is depressing when you realise how many things you have missed. What I don’t understand is the people that want to live just outside London and spend their life commuting whilst living in a place with no pulse . However, people are a bit unfriendly and only some areas have a sense of community. Right I’m off to steal a seat on a tube before a pregnant lady manages to get to it.
People are more than a bit unfriendly London – I think that surely is a euphamism for ‘rude’ – for rude is what they are. And not in a “rude boy” sense either.
Whether or not there is a diverse array of cultures is not at issue, and neither is the presence of some green space in the form of parks – what big town or city doesn’t have a park or two?
Pallid urban sprawl it is – Greater London is readily expanding and, aside from the many cultural experiences which a place with such footfall does attract, has become largely dull and soulless place devoid of any of the highlights most communities have to offer. Obviously, there are exceptions, but I’m genuinely worried about the impression most foreign visitors have of the UK given that many of them never leave the City.
Spent an hour trying to travel through London with a suitcase and you’ll come out with one overriding feeling: all the people in London are arseholes.