The former civil servant from Prenton who was on Radio Merseyside the other day and was party to the discussions about regeneration in Liverpool during the 70s and 80s should be interviewed in depth about his experience so that we can build up a more informed picture of how 'managed decline' has shaped Whitehall's attitude to Liverpool over the decades.
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Another example he gave was the formation of the metropolitan county of Merseyside and how it couldn't have been drawn more tightly. Much of Merseyside isn't included and towns that might have balanced the dominance of Liverpool like Wigan and Warrington are left out. Why have St Helens in but Wigan out? Why isn't West Lancashire part of 'Merseyside'? If the area around Liverpool had been drawn much wider it would have given it much more economic clout and it would have been about the same size as what became Greater Manchester. Being of a similar size this would have made it more difficult to prioritise the regeneration of Manchester over Liverpool.
I really do hope that the publication of the cabinet documents leads to a rigorous examination of the evidence for managed decline. Of course, this shouldn't blind us to the decline that occurred as a result of the incompetence of LCC administrations during this time period and since.
Another thing this former civil servant said (and I'm quoting from memory so I apologise if I miss things out or place emphasis where it doesn't belong) was how when Britain joined the ECC as it was then, a big deal was made about how the port of Liverpool was on the wrong side of the country almost over night and how this became another nail in Liverpool's coffin despite the fact that Liverpool is ideally placed between Europe and North America! The negatives were seized upon to emphasise the notion that 'Liverpool is finished' rather the opportunities presented by the recently opened Seaforth dock. Of course the relationship between MDHB and dockers was particularly poisonous during this time (always?) so that didn't help to raise the port's profile either.
A great deal was made last year about the reopening of a rail link that means that freight trains from the docks no longer have to reverse into Edge Hill before they can go on their journey. In the early 70s Liverpool docks had direct links to all parts of the country not just the one that exists now but they were closed down 'because Liverpool is on the wrong side of the country'. How convenient! A bit more 'managed' decline takes place because such notions aren't challenged and local politicians are more concerned getting one over on rival political parties than ensuring prosperity for the city of Liverpool and its people.
If I were a Whitehall mandarin, I would be clapping my hands with glee as a result of being faced with such poor opposition to the State's strategic planning.
Fortunately (for us) Storey put a spoke in the works and began the fight back but even he had to sign that shameful concordat drawn up by the North West Development Agency that acknowledged that Liverpool would no longer insist on parity with Manchester.
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