Don’t mention the “R Word”: the end of regionalism in the North East?

This article reports on how the North East of England is responding to the shift from "regionalism" to "localism", and suggests that while there is some enthusiasm for the new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the loss of regional institutions is keenly felt. There is a continuing need to ensure that the North East has a voice, credibly rooted in the place and the people, and is able to engage in effective dialogue with central government. On the positive side, the Government's abolition of the regional institutions has provided a chance to think anew about the value and values of regionalism.