tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21511994.post116103247677971576..comments2024-01-23T10:58:22.933+00:00Comments on Ballots, Balls and Bikes: Common sense on the north south divideTony Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02730756593968673070noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21511994.post-1161168408635010972006-10-18T11:46:00.000+01:002006-10-18T11:46:00.000+01:00I entirely agree that current government policies ...I entirely agree that current government policies are not solving this problem and indeed have exacerbated it. They appear to accept and encourage the drift to the south east without accepting that there are huge consequences for our quality of life long termTony Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02730756593968673070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21511994.post-1161168118661384772006-10-18T11:41:00.000+01:002006-10-18T11:41:00.000+01:00Don't assume that the current trends are not a res...Don't assume that the current trends are not a result of Government policy.<BR/><BR/>The Government have strongly supported growth in the south east, seeing it as the 'engine room' of the UK economy, whilst comprehensively failing to invest in the necessary infrastructure.Liberal Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00550999774301073111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21511994.post-1161166160539024302006-10-18T11:09:00.000+01:002006-10-18T11:09:00.000+01:00I sympathise with your instinctive reaction to cen...I sympathise with your instinctive reaction to central government and the idea that centralising is the solution. However, I guess I am coming from the perspective that things should be devolved to the level at which they can be dealt with effectively and I am not convinced that engineering such a demographic shift can best be handled at a local level. There would undoubtedly be elements of such a strategy that could be delivered far better at local level but in terms of developing the policy framework, the strategy and in terms of providing the funding and incentives I feel that much of this would be better done centrally.<BR/><BR/>I totally agree with your comment about the government buying up and renovating housing - my comment was meant to be slightly tongue in cheek in implying that the government could make some profit to help pay for the incentives required to achieve this demographic shiftTony Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02730756593968673070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21511994.post-1161163437561061632006-10-18T10:23:00.000+01:002006-10-18T10:23:00.000+01:00Being a liberal the though of central government a...Being a liberal the though of central government action makes me shudder.<BR/><BR/>Any action should be locally led, although funding will probably have to come from central funds...<BR/><BR/>As for the government buying up and renovating housing, I can't think of anything less likely to result in the desired ends. We should make it easier for private concerns to take this on. Government's place is in ensuring the incentives are there.<BR/>The same goes for business in the north, the incentives for businesses to locate there need to be created, this requires local not central action and greater control by local government over its own area.<BR/><BR/>Central government action may sound reasonable, but it rarely works. Its best and more liberal to devolve power as close to the individual as possible.Tristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15395992764678278326noreply@blogger.com