RE: Economist article5 Apr 2019 13:55
I have long taken the view, irrespective of Party, that Government's ability to apply themselves to potential long-term industrial economics consequences is severely limited. Understandably, being politicians, they're more interested in perception and short-term ratings than actual results (which someone else will have to deal with anyway). Hence the idea of The Northern Powerhouse is a wonderful catch-phrase, but in reality appears to be achieving very little other than things which would have been happening anyway outside such a jingoistic wrapper.
Interestingly, a Sirius IPA Guarantee announcement could have provided one of those win-win political opportunities if handled correctly. A clear statement in support of TNP and future regional and national benefits, with the promise of guarantee 'when appropriate' without any drain on public finances (or at least none which the current leadership would have to worry about). Perhaps I'm prematually misjudging the likelihood that they are capable of such easy PR pickings but, then again, perhaps not!