I cant disagree but I am not sure that the “working class” exists anymore. Yes, there are cultural differences between North and South. I was raised in Surbiton- Good Life was spot on, and Hyacynth Bucket too! Nothing useful happened there, except maybe medical research and some hi-tech. I moved to Yorkshire in 1972, and saw the death of industry. It was already dying then, Thatcher finished it, Blair nailed down the coffin. People lived on benefits, watched telly and took the drugs the government promoted -I saw some horrible sights around the mining areas. We tried for government intervention, I was funded by OneNorthEast on Teesside, and spent EU money promoting SME startups. There were successes- rolling out digital technologies, media arts etc. Lots of failures too! I cannot see a future for the UK under the present political system- I wish I could, my sons live there. Poland has a chance, but is busily blowing it. Not sure what we can do?

I couldn’t agree more Chris, a lot of our research has shown the importance of breaking down professional silos and building relationships between partners for formal devolution to have any real impact – local partners will have to evince ‘joined-up thinking’ to ensure that any strategic plan gains traction on the ground.

One that faces globalisation doesn’t try and turn away from it, or backwards. One that seeks new industries, new specialisations and high skilled engineering and technology jobs for the working class, because, lets be honest, this is what its about. Places like the North East are overwhelmingly working class with centuries tradition of making things. We don’t have to throw that away, lets become the best at new things, new high tech engineering, specialisms for the global economy.

All this requires government intervention, but as its stands it seems the government just wants to make lots of mini-londons, thinking if places are just more ‘connected’ automatically costa coffees spring up everywhere and we all work in advertising or PR.

Simply relying on the circulation of capital may wrk in london, (works very well) it simply doesn;t work elsewhere. Letting the steel industry die will be a crime, we should be integrating it into a new and booming industrial strategy