Neil Foster hails the regeneration of many parts of Britain and says the the Tories must not wreck them again
THE recent report by the right-wing think-tank Policy Exchange caused widespread consternation across the north of England. Apparently, so many urban areas are “beyond revival” that the people of northern towns and cities should move to the south-east. There has been no exodus since the report’s publication. People are proud of where they live and can see when places are on the up.
Had the authors visited some of the areas they casually referred to, they would have witnessed the jobs created at the new Bullring in Birmingham, observed the stunning redevelopment of Salford Quays or contemplated in the Winter Garden in Sheffield. At times, our ambition has been breathtaking. In the Wansbeck constituency where I live, we’ve recently imported 500,000 tonnes of sand for a whole new beach for Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.
Earlier this year, the Tories held their spring conference at the Sage Music Centre in Gateshead. I wonder if they reflected on the uncomfortable truth that the site of this spectacular venue was industrially redundant and chemically contaminated land when their party was last in power.
The Policy Exchange report is also a slur on the efforts of communities. Each month, tens of thousands of people across Britain freely give their time and ingenuity through community regeneration. The New Deal for Communities and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund have enabled residents to act collectively to shape their future. The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative is unlocking the innate creativity, skill and talent of everyday people through business start-ups in areas with limited entrepreneurial history.
The reactionary report was about politics, not regeneration. The only way for the Tories to turn off the tap of investment in poorer areas is if they can convince others that it has made no difference. Tribune readers know what to expect from the Conservatives, but many new voters don’t. It is up to us to broadcast how George Osborne will take away money earmarked for housing estates and hand it to the estates of millionaires through cuts to inheritance tax.
It is Labour that has invested in so many of the regeneration successes throughout the country. In opposition, we saw first hand the Tory economic onslaught on northern constituencies. We have put in place the long-term finance so that towns and cities can begin to write their own future once again. In government, we’ve shown that we do not live in a broken society and that, by working together, we can fulfil the ambitions and aspirations of all.
If the Tories were in power, from where would David Cameron gain his regeneration insight? It wouldn’t be from his front bench, which currently boasts
14 Old Etonians. It couldn’t be from Conservative councillors, since city councils such as Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle are currently Tory-free zones. It certainly wouldn’t be from a study of his party’s history, since it was the previous Conservative Government that unleashed havoc on so many of the north’s industries. Cameron can only rely on right-wing prejudices and out-of-touch think -tanks.
Thanks to Labour, regeneration is increasing economic opportunity and social solidarity throughout Britain. Up and down the country, towns and cities with renewed purpose are relying on us to win this battle. The stakes are high, but our record is strong. If there was ever a moment for Labour supporters to stand up for our record and values, it is now.
Neil Foster is a member of the Compass management committee and has worked in regeneration across Tyneside
