Your can read the full article by James Robinson in the Evening Chronicle here.
North East mayor calls for “Northern reparations” as new think tank launched.
The new think tank will focus on policies to improve economic and social outcomes in the North East and Cumbria.
The Tees Valley Mayor has suggested that the North is owed “reparations” from the rest of the UK after decades of under-investment.
Conservative mayor Lord Ben Houchen made the comments at the launch of a new think tank, True North, focusing on the North East and Cumbria. Chaired by John Stephenson, the former Conservative MP for Carlisle, the group has been formed amid concerns that the region – the self-styled “true north” has been overshadowed by larger metropolitan areas in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
A launch event for the think tank was held in Newcastle on Friday. The stated aim is to “influence national and regional government to adopt radical policies to improve economic and social outcomes in the North East and Cumbria”.
Lord Houchen was joined in a panel by Sarah Mulholland, the deputy chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Rob Parsons of the Northern Agenda newsletter.
Speaking at the event, Lord Houchen said: “The reason this country is the great country it is is because of the drive of people in the North. Sadly, the story of post-industrial decline is a very typical one.
“Large industrial sectors that grew the country have been left behind. We have seen a terminal decline of those industries. Governments of both colours have never found a solution to rebuild these very proud communities.
“We need to address how far we have actually fallen. The relative gap between the north and south is similar to the one between east and west Germany at the fall of the Berlin Wall.
“We have been neglected for half a century. We haven’t had the investment, and if we had we wouldn’t be in this position – this is a failure of multiple Governments.
“There needs to be a reparations process. We need to be repaid for the lack of investment over the last 50 years. The key is getting the Treasury to buy into this politically.”
True North is aiming to bring together businesses, politicians, experts and influencers in “key sectors”. While many of those initially involved are from a Conservative background, it was stressed that the organisation is “apolitical” and those from other parties would be welcome to contribute.
Mr Stephenson, who chaired the Northern Research Group of MPs, said: “Like everybody, I want to see the area I live and work in be an attractive place, somewhere where others want to live and invest – somewhere to be proud of.
“We want to close the economic and social gap between the rest of the country. There have been many attempts such as the Northern Powerhouse and Levelling Up, but if we are honest, all have fallen short of transforming the North.
“It doesn’t matter which party is in Government – the focus is on London and the south east. There are huge opportunities in the north – we need to create a narrative that is compelling.
“This has to be above party politics. We need investment and a positive story that will outlast successive general elections and governments.
“I believe our think tank can have a positive impact – many people working together, whatever their political persuasion or outlook.”