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| Londoner Mo Farah and Sheffield-born Jessica Ennis-Hill set to see their cities drift away from Westminster bubble (Image: Daily Mail) |
I don't know about you, but I'm loving this year's Olympics. The daunting talk about Brazil's corrupt politics, high levels of extreme poverty and the doping scandal are secondary topics for discussion while the spectacular sporting action and country's tourism boost are dominating headlines. But for me, I've been particularly impressed by UK's togetherness in pride for Team GB's overwhelming success so far. The country's dominance in rowing and cycling is something worth celebrating and hopefully they can provide a new wave of inspiration for many that London 2012 sadly couldn't.
With Team GB continuing to shine in Rio de Janeiro, it's a big shame that back at home, political leaders are going out of their way in breaking up the country. In this rate, come Tokyo 2020 Olympics or whoever hosts the 2024 Games, we'll be seeing Team Scotland, Team Birmingham and Team North competing.
We've seen the signs before. We nearly saw Scotland become an independent nation in 2014, and talks of another referendum are continuing to lurk behind-the-scenes there. Meanwhile, jobs are being lost in various parts of the North and beyond with the steelwork industry, for example, in crisis-mode. Yet, it's London that has all the attention, all the money and doing fine while the economy elsewhere goes down the dumps.
The government we have right now are thinking of ways to solve this so-called 'North v South' divide. In the Conservative manifesto last year, former Prime Minister David Cameron, pledged the 'Northern Powerhouse' concept and a promise to develop a 'One Nation' Britain. To many, these buzzwords sounded like justifiable reasons to vote for his Party. The citizens of those who live anywhere above and west of Oxfordshire had felt they were disconnected with Westminster so they desperately wanted Cameron's strategy to work.
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| Andy Burnham in Manchester (Image: Watford Observer) |
But, will this 'Northern Powerhouse', with the promises of investment and economic revival, work as it has in London? One may argue that the British capital isn't doing well at all, as while its economy is doing amazingly, only a small minority can afford to live, travel or work there. Is it worth for more affordable cities to be in that situation?
In addition, over 100,000 online users signed a petition for London to be an independent country. Yes, this may have been an emotional reaction to the EU Referendum vote, but many were willing to take that risk long before Article 50 is triggered (which is yet to take place). Can you imagine the country of London? That would surely put the rest of Britain on edge.
These Mayoral elections are a daring sign that the regionalisation of British politics is here to stay. It'll almost be like living in the United States where we'll travel to various parts of the country and would need to revise different laws such as Congestion Charges. The US may be one nation with 50 states but even some of these are talking about running away from White House power. In recent years, we have seen high profile campaigns in California and Texas. In fact, one in four Americans want their state to secede from the United States. They're also facing a looming identity crisis.
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| Theresa May pledges 'One Nation' (Image: Newsweek) |
It is true to say that we do have a new Prime Minister in Theresa May but would she follow ahead with her predecessor's buzzwords? This remains unclear. The 'Northern Powerhouse' is speculated to be ditched, but she's adamant that the north-south divide must be shortened - with little explanation. She has however, kept the 'One Nation' term, which she used on her opening speech as leader. Whether the UK would be, by the end of her premiership, is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, you'd think that the Opposition parties would do their bit in trying to pledge a more united nation. From what I've heard, however, the One Nation dream could evaporate, whoever we have as Prime Minister. If Jeremy Corbyn wins the next general election, for example, he'll introduce a Bank of the North, as an alternative to the Bank of England. He outlines that this idea has the potential to add 100,000 new jobs to the North East yet doesn't explain how this would differ to the current banking system we have. But of course, he has to overcome a leadership battle with Owen Smith. From what I can see, though, whoever is leader of the UK, we'll see this 'North v South' notion heightened, which seriously worries me.
There needs to be a balancing act and I agree that different regions have different needs. But I don't think that creating Mayors, giving parts of Britain individual powers would work in a Brexit-bound Britain. This isn't the time to distance ourselves from Westminster, however elitist many deem this bubble as being.
It is important to hang on, read about how history has served well for the entire nation, coming together in crisis. Remember how collectively, Britain can be a force for good. Yes, Scotland feel deeply disconnected, and perhaps rightly so too - but causing emotional separation, when Article 50 may not even be triggered for years to come, is likely to cripple livelihoods both regionally, and nationally.
See also: Cameron's mistaken British identity crisis
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