| North-south Divide In The United Kingdom |
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THE BORDER Several different theories exist as to where the border lies. A popular notional boundary is a line between The Wash and the Bristol Channel . Sometimes the North is referred to as anywhere north of the Watford Gap . Dividing the country in two is not straightforward. For example, Cheshire is situated in the North-West region, although wealthier than most counties in the south. People from as far south as Nottingham sometimes include themselves in the north. Similarly, some affluent towns in the North are sometime referred to as "Southern towns"; Harrogate being a good example. INDUSTRIAL DECLINE Northern cities rapidly expanded during the Industrial Revolution . The North/South divide was exacerbated by the decline of industry in the middle of the 20th century which consequently had a significant impact on these cities. Events like the UK Miners' Strike (1984-1985) in part polarised the country over some issues which arguably did nothing to overcome the North/South divide. POLITICAL DIMENSION The introduction of the controversial Community Charge (or so called Poll Tax ) in Scotland before it was applied in England, was one case for independence cited by Scottish Nationalists. The Scottish Parliament , Welsh Assembly and Assembly for Northern Ireland was legislated for in 1998 as part of the UK government’s programme of Devolution , intended as a means to de-centralise power and overcome some of the regional disparities. In March 2006 the Conservative Party held their annual conference in a northern city, Liverpool , for the first time, as a means to re-engage support with inner cities. Proposals for the Millennium celebrations were criticised for being too London-centric. Politicians such as Clare Short supported proposals for Birmingham to host the celebrations. CLOSING THE GAP Northern post-industrial cities are now beginning to see a renaissance, particular examples are Manchester , Liverpool , Leeds and Newcastle Upon Tyne . A major new masterplan by British architect Will Alsop has been adopted for the regeneration of Barnsley . Britain’s service industries and banks are relocating to northern cities like Leeds . It should also be noted that poverty is widespread in Southern England due to the high cost of housing yet rising unemployment and low waged '' Contingent Jobs ''. These examples can be found in such places as '' Hastings '','' Eastbourne '','' Dover '' and the Esst-end of London. NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE IN WALES Wales is also sometimes talked about as having a North-South divide. The more urbanised south, containing cities such as Cardiff , Newport and Swansea is considered as the richer area, whereas the more Mountain ous North is seen as poorer. The North of Wales consists of: Wrexham , Flintshire , Denbighshire , Conwy , Gwynedd and the Isle Of Anglesey . The South of Wales would contain: Merthyr Tydfil , Caerphilly , Blaenau Gwent , Torfaen , Monmouthshire , Newport , Cardiff , Vale Of Glamorgan , Bridgend , Rhondda Cynon Taff , Neath Port Talbot and Swansea . This area is very small is terms of Wales, and concentrated in the South-East of the country. The large, central areas of Wales ( Powys and Ceredigion ) are ambiguous in terms of being North or South. Equally, there would be ambiguity over Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire . While very much in the south of the country, they are less urbanised than elsewhere in the south. SEE ALSO |
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