Tory think tank call an insult to 'North'

2.22.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Aug 2008

Liberal Democrats in Wolverhampton have described a call by a Conservative-leaning think tank for people from towns and cities of the 'North' to pack their bags and move to the South as appalling.

Policy Exchange, described as David Cameron's favourite think tank in the media, claimed many towns and cities in the 'North' were failing and regeneration would not save them. They suggested people should move to the South East instead. Policy Exchange was set up by Michael Gove, now a senior Conservative MP.

"The idea that people should abandon anywhere outside London and the home counties and move to the already crowded South East, where house prices and living costs are sky high, is an insult to people living here," said Colin Ross, Chair of Wolverhampton South West Liberal Democrats.

"I am staggered that a think tank so close to the Conservatives is making such a call. I am appalled that they are saying that large swathes of the country can simply be abandoned.

"What the Policy Exchange has done is to highlight the lack of understanding many Conservatives have of anywhere outside London and the South East and to show that they should not be taken seriously."