Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt On Regeneration & The Intangible Stuff
12 Jul 2010
Newly-elected Stoke-on-Trent MP Tristram Hunt explains why continued government investment in education and skills is so vital for 'cities in transition'
In America, the examples of Detroit, Gary and Buffalo have all been cited to support the idea of right-sizing cities and rolling back the urban footprint of declining manufacturing centres. In Britain, radical opinion-formers on the right have urged a mass transhumance from the post industrial north to the financial services south – or, at least, they did until the bubble burst.
But while these ideas might look good in a seminar room, they fail to take account either of the economic resilience of many manufacturing centres or the political requirement to support established communities. As the newly-elected MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, these are the issues I am beginning to grapple with.
As an historian, I am more than aware of the heroic past of the Potteries – how the soils of North Staffordshire gave birth to the Industrial Revolution; how its canals began the transport revolution; and how the kilns of Etruria pioneered modern factory production. But now, as a politician, I am also realising we need to be aggressive about exploiting that history in order to build a sustainable future.
For there is no doubt that while the likes of Sheffield and Derby – and, of course, Birmingham and Manchester –have regenerated over the last 15 years, Stoke-on-Trent has not enjoyed the same success. Part of this is down to a different economic trajectory as North Staffordshire's staple industries continued to suffer economic readjustment well into the 1990s. It was One Nation – and Michael Heseltine – that closed the last of the coalmines. The steel foundries followed soon after, and the past 20 years has seen the numbers employed in the pottery industry fall from around 50,000 to little more than 5,000.
But politics is also to blame. Weak councils – followed by long periods of introspection over the merits of elected mayors – combined with a proud if politically unstable culture of independent representatives, has put off investment. While the strong, concentrated leadership of Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Richard Leese has reaped dividends in Manchester, the so-called "curse of the Potteries" (of relentless political change) has cost the city dear. Unfortunately, we still remain in a period of relative political uncertainty within the city but next year's new governance system – of only 44 councillors with four-year terms of office – offers a longed-for chance of stable leadership. And Stoke-on-Trent's three Labour MPs – myself together with Rob Flello and Joan Walley – are already working closely as a Potteries bloc.
Yet the real key to success lies in changing a culture of scepticism toward education and skills. As with many of Britain's manufacturing or port cities, where young men and women could walk into jobs at 16 in mills, docks or factories with little need for formal education, Stoke-on- Trent has not had a history of valuing learning. Yet those jobs in the pot banks and the mines have gone, often to China or Indonesia, and the jobs of tomorrow are going to demand education, training and apprenticeships.
This is the rationale behind Labour's phenomenal investment in the city – from SureStart centres to refitting primary schools, from a new 6th Form College to the University Quarter around Staffordshire University. The Labour Party was also committed to spending £250m on a Building Schools for the Future programme for all secondary schools, which could now be cut by the Tory/LibDem coalition.
For it is increasingly clear that sustainable urban regeneration is not about shimmering new piazzas and al-fresco dining opportunities; it is about investment in human capital. And far more effective than big public sector back-office job allocation is the slow revival of private sector enterprise.
Much of this is often down to the intangible stuff of regeneration. Yes, you need a professional council, competitive rates, decent housing and transport facilities, and a skilled workforce. But you also need a sense of "a city on the up" and today, Stoke-on-Trent has that.
As the financial services bubble finally bursts and Britain realises it still needs to make things, the Potteries is well-placed to prosper. Ceramics jobs are coming back to the area, thanks partly to the anti-competitive costs of currency swings and partly to the commercial advantage of a "Made in Stoke-on-Trent" brand. With it, we need to rebuild the engineering and manufacturing base which once underpinned the industry. The new £400m University Hospital of North Staffordshire is bringing skilled medical and scientific professionals to the area, while jobs in leisure, tourism, education and retail are also growing. But the intangibles are also there – Stoke City storming the Premier League; the return of the Anglo-Saxon Staffordshire Hoard to its Mercian resting place; even the Hanley Regatta‚ celebrating our canal heritage.
"As a Historian" (historian
"As a Historian" (historian doesn't start with a vowel) Notice you got that in again,you are supposedly one of the three M.P.'s representing Joke-on-Trent, we didn't want a series of history lessons. We have an idea what we were and we know what we are now.
For the people of joke-on-Trent a mass transhumance (if you wish to regard us as livestock)was getting a job in Longton when you lived in Burslem. you don't know how parochial we are, you don't know us at all. were the potteries an area of intense political change I doubt that you would have been elected,to be labour,as you well know, as does your friend to the south, is a guarantee to be elected. that is why you and he were "parachuted" in.so don't mention political uncertainty.
I do agree that education is a major stumbling block to progress in this area, I do think that Tony Bliars,"education, education, education over thirteen years ago,seemed to pass us bye, in spite of having labour representation, and a labour council.With better educational standards I doubt that labour would be considered again.
The first consideration in this area of low educational standards, rather than new school buildings, is apprenticeship schemes, we have thousands that are not "historians' or the like, but are practical.and were we to bring back the skills that we have allowed to dissipate, we would not need Polish plumbers perhaps.WE need to be wary of the spin, and disinformation purely for political reasons, some of our best scientists, and top scholars were educated in some of the oldest schools with few facilities. The teaching staff are key, and the attitude of the students and their parents. In this area, Stoke, we are failing.How can you attract top class teachers to this area? why do the students act up, disrupt and fail to achieve, (not all of them, granted)Why are the parents, not bothered about their children's education, fail to support the teachers,?Their own education was very limited, this problem goes back years. When politicians ,for votes, promise the electorate that all children will be treated equally, when they know that some kids are thick, and in the same classes as cleverer kids will hold them back and prevent them from achieving their full potential,They are sabotaging the system and diluting education gradually until we get to the state we are at, at the moment.And this is not yet the bottom. We used to joke that in the exam "at least I will get marks for writing my name and the date" Even this cannot be relied on today.They say what they want, for the purpose of votes, but the education standards are lower than they were. When students going to university ( for recognisable courses, not the micky mouse ones invented to ensure everyone has a certificate) have to take ,up to a year, being brought up a standard that allows them to START the course then something is wrong. When we had the "eleven plus" it was not the end for some children, a second bite was available, "the thirteen plus"and often the thirteen plus did better. This was when education was appreciated.The others were not on the scrap heap, they did better in an environment that was more suited to their talents.
We don't need the buildings, it would be nice to have them, if we can afford them. If we had cut our garments according to our cloth in previous years we would not be in the mess we are now, We want the right attitude, the best teachers, and better parental control. What we don't want is a history lesson
Mikefire, an excellent
Mikefire, an excellent post,you have hit the nail right smack bang on the head.
'Yet the real key to success
'Yet the real key to success lies in changing a culture of scepticism toward education and skills'
I keep hearing this from Trisstram (oops)but he doesn't say who from or why.Personally, I don't believe the argument or believe in the argument from anyone here in Stoke-on-Trent.
Interesting post Mikefirel,
Interesting post Mikefirel, but "an historian" is correct.
Interesting that this comes up in a article focused on education, whilst you called it incorrectly, I doubt there are many readers that will think anything of it, if they even noticed it.
Apologies for my overly
Apologies for my overly negative comment.
I would like to say that as a council employee, I do believe these efforts are a positive step. They may not be 100% ideal for our situation as a city, but they are the best situation that can be delivered by a large statutory body, but not by local initiatives.
In these tough times, with huge funding cuts, anything that can be easily done through the community should be done that way.
Other cities have had huge success in this way, we just need local people to step forwards and help build this vibe of a "city on the up" as Mr. Hunt puts it.
p.s. just because a candidate is Labour it doesn't mean they think exactly like their predecessors. Every person is unique.
If Mr Hunt would like to see
If Mr Hunt would like to see this city, "on the up", as you put it, I have a suggestion for him. Take Whalley and Flello, then f*** off back to Oxford.
Those citizens of this city whose IQs run to at least double figures, are tired of the stench of incompetence and corruption brought here by Labour and their minions. This citys only chance of redemption from the catastrophic failure we are headed towards, is removing the communist influence of you fascist monkeys once and for all.
That is a decision for the
That is a decision for the electorate of Stoke, Craig.
I think they made their feelings known last May (as well as their opinion of your shower). Can't democracy be a pain in the arse?
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"The skeleton of our complete freedom is already formed.
The flesh and the clothing are lacking".
I,m sure ,as you picked up on
I,m sure ,as you picked up on the cryptic reference, that you know that both can be correct. I mainly depends on if you sound the "h" or if it is silent, or even where you lay the stress: on the first or second syllable. If the root of the word is French often the "h" is silent.Tradition and dialect play a part, and tend to use that that gives a "smoother"or more natural pronunciation. With regards to vowels and "the rule", like other rules it's looking for exceptions.
I think a better statement would have been, " as an ahistorical person" (nostalgia that misunderstands cultural history), it being more appropriate.
I think a little teasing out is required to ascertain whose opinions are worth considering, but being too overt is counterproductive,test the water using the genre of the day. Are you THE Guest or A guest?
'As an historian, I am more
'As an historian, I am more than aware of the heroic past of the Potteries – how the soils of North Staffordshire gave birth to the Industrial Revolution; how its canals began the transport revolution; and how the kilns of Etruria pioneered modern factory production'
If you keep writing this stuff, I will tear you apart in the press.
No you won't.
No you won't.
Gary: Quote:"If you keep
Gary:
What, like you did in the election?
I voted for Tristram, I'm glasd that I did. I have seen nowt in your inane ramblings to suggest I made a mistake in NOT voting for you.
Tristram will go on to do great things for the City as a whole and for the people of Stoke-on-Trent Central.
You, my deluded little friend will go on dreaming on being on 'Stars In Their Eyes' singing the Yvonne Fair classic 'It Should Have Been Me'
And in your spare time you will snipe at the master from the side lines as the young pretenders often did in our country's colourfull history.
In simple terms: "all piss & wind!"
"Yet the real key to success
"Yet the real key to success lies in changing a culture of scepticism toward education and skills."
Is it just me or does this sound like a dressed-up insult to anyone else ?
I retain my confidence in
I retain my confidence in Tristram, he's an energetic, educated and well connected man. I'm certain he will serve the City with distinction. But... city on the up? I haven't witnessed much of this optimism he talks of. Most people I know are bracing themselves for the inevitable onslaught of another Tory government - fearful rather than hopeful for the future.
Stoke have hardly "stormed" up the Premiership either!
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"The skeleton of our complete freedom is already formed.
The flesh and the clothing are lacking".
No you didn't 'Gibbo', you
No you didn't 'Gibbo', you live in Stoke South where your beloved MP invited his own workers to:
"re-apply for their own jobs" (sentinel 2010).
Sick. Very sick coming from New Labour.
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