Winds of change

As the proud East Yorkshire city attempts to move with the times by becoming a green energy hub with Siemens at its vanguard, a new spirit of co-operation has broken out between Hull Council and local business leaders.

It is also common for politicians to work together across party lines thanks to the pragmatism offered by Alan Johnson, the former Cabinet minister, who has fostered this bi-partisanship.

He’s right to do so. One reason that Hull found itself in the political and economic doldrums was because of the inability of its past leaders to work with others, or to present a convincing case to Whitehall for funds to help unlock the city’s vast potential. With the Government devolving unprecedented powers to the regions, the tide is turning and it is vital that Hull’s business leaders and politicians work together for the good of their own city – and the wider region.