Letters: True North n
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Of course there's nothing wrong with a bit of genial North-South rivalry, as the Weasel points out (Up & Down Canary Wharf, 21 January). Yet the danger in books like Charles Jennings's Up North: Travels Beyond the Watford Gap is that they reinforc e prejudices against a region which has struggled economically in recent years. I remain convinced that people's misconceptions make it harder for much-needed recovery to begin. Indeed, one reason for the North's plight has been the unwillingness of a So uthern-based government to invest there.
Yet one shouldn't dwell on the negative side, for there's much to boast about. Why else do millions visit the Lake District? The Yorkshire Dales? Or even much-maligned Blackpool? And perhaps the Weasel ought to commission Alan Bleasdale or Melvyn Bragg to write about Down South: Life Below the Watford Gap; after all, if the whole idea is such a big joke, I think it's our turn to be laughing.
tim mickleburgh Grimsby, Lincolnshire n
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments