Manufacturing power of the North is engine of recovery

From: Phillip Green, Radlyn Park, West End Avenue, Harrogate.

Watching television reports on crime, weather and housing, it is becoming more and more obvious that television reporting is centred in the south east.

I would like to point out that the wealth generation of this country used to centre around the woollen, cotton, mining, clothing and engineering capabilities of the north of England. This was where the profit was generated, not in the south east. The south east just climbed on the back of the energies and talents of the north and benefited unjustly from so doing. This is why it hurts so much when investment goes into southern desk jobs instead of northern engineering, which could still increase our national capabilities ten-fold.

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The basic problem is that too few southern pen-pushers have taken the trouble to come north and explore the amazing potential here in traditional skills which can so easily be redirected.

Let’s get away from all the claptrap that nothing happens if it doesn’t happen in London and realise that the resurgence of engineering excellence has to start again in the north where the skills and aptitudes are ingrained.

Capitalise on our assets, not our chat. There is much more to the north than the old abbeys, castles and views over the Dales, grand though they may be.

Don’t forget, the first truly post-war car was not built in the Midlands or the south. The Jowett Javelin was built in Bradford and Jowetts went on to win their class at Le Mans for three consecutive years: 1950, 1951 and 1952. Even Bentley didn’t do that!

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From: Nick Butler, Chief Executive, Connect Yorkshire Ltd, Clarendon Road, Leeds.

Regarding the future of Yorkshire Forward’s assets (Yorkshire Post, June 23). As chief executive of a not-for-profit organisation that has had involvement with Yorkshire Forward for a decade, I think it is vital that any assets be retained for our county, in the right hands, and that a decision is needed promptly.

Too often we hear about the North-South divide; it is vital that the opinion of the north is heard by central government in this decision process.

Aside from the value, some of these sites are important for the region and for their heritage value – for example the Odeon in Bradford, an iconic landmark building that has been the subject of much lobbying against demolition plans, is something that many people believe should be cherished and put to best use.

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The Tower Works site in Leeds is another important landmark, with its superb Italianate towers, that have been a part of our skyline for over a century.

On a wider scale, economic conditions have produced an inertia across the country which in turn impacts back on the economy in a downwards spiral. Too many people have been sitting on the fence for too long. With this assets issue and indeed for the region and country as a whole, I believe it is time for action from business and consumers, being confident and moving forward again towards growth; making decisions and basically “getting on with it” is a huge part of that.