Collaborate or get left behind, says Blunkett

He said: “Historically when monarchs in mediaeval times had “trouble" with the North, they paid lip service to greater self-determination and devolution of power. The Council of the North, established in 1484, was such an example, only to be abolished when rebellion had been seen off.

“Today, we've seen the demise of the so-called “Levelling Up" initiative, the cancellation of the eastern leg of HS2, and austerity hitting the North of England the hardest of anywhere in the UK.

“The rise in interest rates, intended to dampen down the economy, also hits the North most severely. Once again, crude measures to deal with inflation are actually intended to take the heat out of London and the South East, whilst leading to the danger of taking the heart out of the North.

“With education standards way below those of London and the South-East, no coherent industrial or social policy and with even something as personal as the recent Birthday Honours going predominantly to the south, any pretence of meaningful support has gone out of the window.

“So, it is down to the elected leadership in the North – mayors, local authority leaders and the heads of key institutions – to step up existing collaboration and build on the strength which partnership brings, spreading best practice and joining up initiatives to create a critical mass for the development of education, skills, investment and research. This will then bring about a dramatic increase in growth and productivity, and preparation for tomorrow's world of technological change.

“Learning from each other, linking up to make initiatives in one part of the North into large-scale success will be essential if we are to bring about transformation. That transformation will come from the bottom up, not the top down, but if national leaders are prepared to listen, then government could turn into a positive friend rather than a distant observer".