Tackling the historical regional inequalities demands an effort akin to German reunification. ‘Levelling up’ was never more than rhetorical
In the long run, among the greatest electoral perils facing Boris Johnson may well be the anger of those in the north of England who mistook him for a serious politician. Because expecting to be let down doesn’t make the experience of being let down any less painful or the resentment any less severe. The anger stems from the fact people in the north fully understand that their regions do not find themselves left behind, as if by an act of nature, but have been actively left behind. One of the many places where that fact has for too long been visible is on the map of the nation’s railways.
Travelling by rail between any two cities in England is usually quick and easy, but only if one of those cities is London. Manchester to London, a distance of 163 miles (262 km) as the crow flies, takes a little over two hours by train. Leeds to London (169 miles) can be done in about the same time. But Manchester to Leeds, a straight distance of just 36 miles, takes more than an hour and on some routes requires changing trains. London’s dominance is not simply reflected on our rail maps and timetables, it is reinforced by them.
