Tory Think Tank Call an Insult to Uttlesford - Liberal Democrats

10.21.59am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 24th Aug 2008

Liberal Democrats in Uttlesford have described a call by a Conservative-leaning think tank for people from towns and cities of the North to pack their bags and move to the South as appalling.

Policy Exchange, described as David Cameron's favourite think tank in the media, claimed many towns and cities in the North were failing and regeneration would not save them. They suggested people should move to the South East instead. Policy Exchange was set up by Michael Gove, now a senior Conservative MP.

"The idea that people should abandon the North and move to the already crowded South East, where house prices and living costs are sky high, is an insult to people living here," said Cllr Peter Wilcock, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman.

"I am staggered that a think tank so close to the Conservatives is making such a call. I am appalled that they are saying that large swathes of the North can simply be abandoned, and suggesting that they move South to occupy proposed eco towns like Elsenham and Hanley Grange.

"What the Policy Exchange has done is to highlight the lack of understanding many Conservatives have of the North and to show that they are too weak here to be taken seriously. Instead we should be considering how we might support and invest in the North as the South is seriously overheating in their economy."