Reg » Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:18 am wrote:Sorry mate but I don't think you're looking at it logically.
In the past, the North East and Scotland was ship building, steel, coal and machinery manufacturing hence a political base. The Midlands was steel and general manufacturing and the South, agriculture, army and navy, and general light industry. Probably in the 1900-1950 period therefore a balance spread of industry with influence higher in the midlands and north. But things change and Britain didn't develop, invest or evolve and we lost competitiveness whilst at the same time, we had cronic union paralysis as they tried to maintain things as they were in denial of evolution. The coal miners even went on strike during WW2 which p.issed the armed services off no end.
As the industrial base declined, the financial base strengthened and replaced lost income and created jobs. The preferred location of this was the City, not Birmingham, Rochdale nor Strathclyde - our history elevated London as the centre of the empire so thats understandable. So you can't say the north doesn't have a role to play or that folks don't listen to us, it's just that we declined in influence and haven't found a way to reassert ourselves (in a positive way, not through tribalism...).
Politically, there is a way over representation of Scottish MP's and Minsters if you consider their population, a staggering number of Jocks in senior positions. That northern politicians have not been successful in climbing the ladder is their own fault. Frank Field is a superb MP, a real fighter for the people but is marginalised because he is not prepared to compromise. Since then northern MP's lean towards left wing which again alienates them from the southern power base.
I do not accept the north is hard done by. We have the same opportunities as the Germans, French and Italians. The success of the car industry is a great example of if we can find the investment, we're as competitive as anyone. We're educated, skilled, productive and loyal but the far east are willing to work longer hours for less pay and if we don't become more dynamic things will only become more difficult, not easier.
You focus on the Olympics, I don't - its like looking at the plans of a new building and asking if there'll be an ashtray - irrelevant . I watched the games from abroad and was as proud as hell. A fantastic success and showed the UK in a great light. If sad, miserable, whinging tw@ts in the north want to cry because they weren't held in Scunthorpe then you can see how fast society is degenerating.
These whingers should be studying manufacturing, modern materials, unit construction techniques to bring economically viable ship building back to the north east. Identify the best added value manufacturing products that can compete in the global market and create jobs, how come the Germans are still such great manufacturers and exporters but we're not?
What we're discussing here is the mental attitude of 'can do' against 'support for life' - which is what Margaret Thatcher fought against, Ronnie Reagan fought against and successive Labour governments have undone ever since. We must create wealth through being the best. If the UKIP gain influence it will be on this ticket. We can do it, but folks need to convince themselves of that before taking the first step.
By the way, in your new republic... how are you going to create wealth?
