Does the country need a vibrant London?

[Harrythedog]

So far a terrific Olympic Games enjoyed by the majority of th UK but desperation for the shopkeepers of Old London town and many partly undermanned London Offices. So the question is do we need a vibrant London to have a economically successful country?

 

[trapperjohn]

No.

 

[Dryce]

So the question is do we need a vibrant London to have a economically successful country?

Depends where you live in the UK.

I don't think the dominance of London as a UK centre of business and government has a net positive effect north of Manchester. And I think that effect has got worse over the last 40 years.

However I think the same effect on a smaller scale can be seen in the gradient across the east - west axis in central Scotland over the last 15 years.

 

[MBhowden]

I started life working in London and have moved slowly northwards, now in Yorkshire. I can say it is a much better quality of life in Yorkshire although if I ever had to move south again it would be virtually impossible due to housing costs.

 

[markjay]

For foreigners, 'London' has a certain chique to it that 'Manchester' just does not have.

But then, to them, we are all from 'England'.

 

[Dryce]

For foreigners, 'London' has a certain chique to it that 'Manchester' just does not have.

I think London is one one of the greatest cities in the world. In my younger days I loved the buzz when I stayed there.

But judging it as part of the UK is a different matter.

It stands in light and casts a shadow.