Power houses

[Hope]

Over the last few years, much has been made of the 'power houses' of the UK - London (obviously), Manchester/Leeds/Liverpool.  Following today's unveiling of the revamped New Street Station in Birmingham, there seems to be a suggestion that Birmingham could be the next power house in England. 

How many powerhouses can one have in an economy of England's size - let alone those of Scotland and Wales?

Do the states within Canada, the US or Australia have similar issues?

[Rhiannon]

London could be a self-governing autonomous state. Aside from that, every region needs an economic hub. In a country as densely populated as our is, it seems we can accommodate quite a few - it isn't size that dictates this, but economically active population.

[Hope]

London could be a self-governing autonomous state.

I've heard a number of people say this, but when one remembers the number of people who commute from outside of London, and the reliance it has on the South East as a whole, I'm not sure it could.

Aside from that, every region needs an economic hub. In a country as densely populated as our is, it seems we can accommodate quite a few - it isn't size that dictates this, but economically active population.

And how would you define a 'region'?  County, group of counties, geographical area, ... ?  I think that that is part of the issue.  The English don't seem to have quite the same ties to regions as the Scots, Welsh and Irish.

[Harrowby Hall]

And how would you define a 'region'?  County, group of counties, geographical area, ... ?  I think that that is part of the issue.  The English don't seem to have quite the same ties to regions as the Scots, Welsh and Irish.

Interesting observation, Hope.

I must say that having lived substantial portions of my life in both the East Midlands and the West Midlands I found both regions have a strong identity as regions and the residents strong feelings of association with the regions. However, I have to say that the several years I spent in Berkshire (first Windsor and later Reading) I did not know which official region I was living in. In so far as there was any sense of region it was  as Thames Valley - but that was the name of the police force.

Interesting comments on BBC tv regional news, this morning, bearing on the opening of the rebuilt Birmingham New Street railway station. Digby Jones said that it was an essential part of the promotion of the West Midland Power House and pointed out that the West Midlands has a larger population than Scotland. He looked forward to the opening of the new railway station for HS 2.