Time for politicians to raise their game in sporting powerhouse
Monday, August 22: Jayne Dowle
THERE WAS so much bluster from David Cameron and co about the Northern Powerhouse that the whole idea was in danger of collapse. Those of us who live here were especially sceptical. And there is nothing more cynical than a cynical Northerner.
It takes something to convince us. And that something might just be Prime Minister Theresa May, who has set out her vision for how the Northern Powerhouse should come to be.
One thing is clear. If we don’t get behind her, it will never happen. We need to shake off that cynicism, seize the initiative and take advantage of this opportunity as it presents itself.
Mrs May says that power and decisions have rested with London and the South East for too long. She’s right, but we’ve heard this from politicians before. I hope that two things happen from now on: that she proves by actions and not just words that she is sincere, and that she listens to what her friends in the North tell her.
Tuesday, August 23: Tom Richmond
COLLAPSED IN a heap, the reaction of the indomitable Leeds brothers-inarms Alistair and Jonny Brownlee best captured the spirit of the Rio Olympics – and the power of sport.
As they stretched out their weary arms, the victorious Alistair’s two hands clasping his beaten brother’s left arm after this famous triathlon onetwo, they whispered to each other ‘We did it’.
For many, it was the moment of the Olympics when Team GB eclipsed all expectations – and records – to surpass its successes at London four years ago and finish second to the mighty USA with 67 podium finishes.
Wednesday, August 24: Bernard Ingham
ISN’T IT funny how history repeats itself?
On her return from healthy hiking in Switzerland, where Margaret Thatcher seethed on holiday over lost reforming time, our new woman Prime Minister, Theresa May, will discover she faces exactly the same national disease that confronted Thatcher nearly 40 years ago. They call it defeatism.
This is not the defeatism that comes with managing national decline, accelerated by the unions’ abuse of power.
Now it is a curious belief that the UK cannot make its way in the world without being tied to the European Union’s apron strings.
Thursday, August 25: Rachel Reeves
ASBESTOS REMAINS a threat to thousands of children and teachers – even though the lethal risks it poses have been known for decades.
Up to 21,000 schools across the country could still contain asbestos. The truth is that we do not fully know the full extent of the problem or the nature of the risks faced by staff and pupils.
There is also the uncertainty surrounding newly established free schools – some of which are housed in former office blocks and other redundant buildings – and whether those new schools contain asbestos.
Friday, August 26: Kirstie Donnelly
THIS HAS been a real summer of success. Coming second in the Olympic medal table, behind only the US (despite having a far smaller population), has certainly put a smile on my face, and possibly yours too.
Post Olympics, one thing that’s been doing the rounds this week has been a table comparing how Britain’s regions did.
Apparently, had they all been competing as autonomous teams, Yorkshire would have come home in 17th place on the medal table.