MP Ken Clarke issues warning to One North East

Feb 6 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

SENIOR Conservative MP Ken Clarke has warned development bosses he will consign them to the dustbin as he cracks down on the “last arms of John Prescott’s unwanted plans for regional governance”.

In a bullish attack on the £270m regional quango One North East Mr Clarke told business leaders in Tynemouth that the region would have to make a strong case to prove “it really wanted to preserve” the development agency.

In front of agency staff responsible for creating and safeguarding tens of thousands of jobs he questioned whether people across the North East felt any real regional connections, citing his experience which, he said, proved people in Teesside do not like to be told they are similar to Newcastle and the same with Wearside and Tyneside.

In a clear message to quango bosses he warned it was not right for such agencies to continue beyond their original use.

The shadow business secretary went on to tell regeneration bosses it was wrong for them to campaign against being closed down and questioned the wages and bills involved in running large public sector agencies.

Mr Clarke insisted Tory plans to hand development cash over to city groups with elected councillors taking responsibility would be welcomed.

He agreed, however, that if the region presented an argument to save One North East it would be considered by a potential Conservative government.

Addressing concerns that the region would be left with different cities competing against each other Mr Clarke insisted there would still be some overall regional body if a shake-up came and added he thought competition would be good for the North East.

But he added the agency would have to prove it was getting “the most bang for your buck”.

Attending a North East Economic Forum event at the Grand Hotel in Tynemouth, Mr Clarke was told by Bob Coxon, head of the region’s Science and Industry Council not to assume success in creating renewable energy jobs had come to the region “by luck”.

Mr Coxon said: “One North East in particular has played a big role in our growth. The region has shown it can come together and plan for the future.”