North South divide Imagine, if it were the other way around

Another interesting article in this morning's newspaper about the proposed high-speed 2 railway link. Interesting because it identified that one aim was to “rebalance" the economy between north and south. I'd see that as progress, at least there was an admission that something needs rebalancing!

There were the usual arguments, in the should we, shouldn't we debate; "the costs are too high", "the routing is wrong", "the business case is not up to scratch" and so on, but let me ask one question. 

Imagine, if it were the other way around?

Imagine that the North was prosperous and thriving and in the South, it was dire and depressed. 

Imagine, (if you will) that the implosion in banking and financial services does not recover but in fact gets worse, much worse. The financial sector plagued by regulation, increased taxes and challenges from abroad all but disappears from the South East. What financial institutions are left are forced to relocate to Leeds in order to save costs.

Meanwhile the government follows the BBC (of all people) and relocates masses of administrative functions to the regions. Other companies and ancillary support services follow suit. The exodus of businesses from the south-east is widespread and it happens quickly.

Meanwhile new technology and manufacturing in the North of England and Wales expands to meet global needs. Our exit from the EU attracts masses of investment and businesses from all over the globe. High-tech factories spring up in the North and Midlands creating tens of thousands of jobs, almost overnight.

Manchester, above all establishes itself as the European hub for all media and high-tech businesses. Manchester airport adds not just a third but a fourth runway. The city becomes a gateway between East and West. Masses of US and Middle Eastern investment flows in, funding the expansion still further. There is talk of Liverpool's airport expanding into the sea, a “scouse" island if you will. 

Glasgow airport undergoes a similar expansion. This is seen as essential, as since Scotland's independence and having established itself as a tax-free haven, masses of US and Chinese businesses have built European headquarters there. The M6 toll road is expanded to 24 lanes and runs from Birmingham to Glasgow.

Meanwhile Heathrow ages ungracefully, Gatwick becomes a hub for low-cost European carriers and Stansted is sold for £1.

Unemployment is rife in the capital, there is violence on the streets. Foreign investment depart rapidly, Abramovich sells Chelsea and Tottenham and Arsenal are relegated the same season leaving Crystal Palace is the only football club south of Birmingham in the Premier league.

There is much talk about the Southeast's need to reinvent itself, for the people to travel to where the work is and for the need to adapt to the New World.

Would there be a case for a High-Speed rail link then?

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