The problem with the Leunig report is that it looks at the north form the only terms that southerners understand, making money, money and more money. The culture in the north is not the same as the south, most southerners wouuld sell their children if there was a decent profit in it, whereas most of the northerners I know just want enough to have a decent standard of life and something to pass on to the kids.

Industry in the north makes a huge contribution to the UK economy, without it the UK would be goosed as all we would have is Banks and Insurance companies. And before anyone says that there is no industry left in the UK, I can provide evidence of approx £3~5Bn per year of Manufacturing industry outside the South East.

The main problem in moving the North to London is that I’m not sure how the concept of communtiy spirit would work in London, last time I was there I said ‘good morning’ to a man walking out of a shop doorway, he promptly ran away! Most Londoners can manage several days without speaking to another soul, outside their circle of friends and co-workers, that doesn’t happen in the north.

Perhaps Leunig should stick to what he knows and show people how to be greedy and make more cash and leave most Northerners to do what they do best, live their lives happy in the knowledge that they dont have to go and live among those ‘miserable buggers in t’south’.

I have to admit to being surprised by our local press releases. I agree that PE are far too canny for this to have been a mistake. While they obviously are far too close to Cameron, I think it would be a mistake for Libdems to ignore them. Long spoon or not they are coming up with some creative thinking in areas that the traditional thinktanks ignore.

ps Tim was also a lecturer of mine at LSE and I echo james’ comments about him being a great teacher and really decent guy.

Which makes the lack of response from Cowley Street understandable, especially considering Leunig has defended his controversy-stirring admirably as that of an independent academic unrelated to any party.

Which makes me think the internal politics at Policy Exchange are slightly different than how you see it. Could there be a bitter power struggle going on? Has Cameron fallen into the divide between TeamBoris and the economic liberals by criticising them? Was TeamBoris subtly shifted out to make way for a less-than-subtle shift in position?

It suits me that free-thinking Lib Dems are tarred with the ‘yellow Tory’ tag as Recess Monkey and his ilk retreat into the thought-free zone.

a) a better teacher

b) a nicer bloke