Coalition must deliver for Northern Cities – Lib Dem MP
Bradford MP David Ward will challenge the Coalition to deliver real changes for Northern cities in a hard hitting speech today [21st July]. 
The MP will call for a step change in his Party's policy towards Northern cities in an address to the influential left-leaning Liberal Democrat pressure group, the Social Liberal Forum.
Commenting David Ward said:
"The national fall in unemployment is extremely welcome, but this is masking big regional differences. Unemployment actually rose in many Northern cities last month. My own constituency in Bradford is just one example.
"There is a real risk that the north south divide that built up while the economy was booming will widen even further as we struggle out of the recession. Tackling the causes of these inequalities must be a priority for the Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government.
"I would not expect a miracle to have occurred in five years's time that completely rejuvenates an economy that has fallen so far, over such long period of time. However, I would expect to see clear evidence that the long terms problems of de-industrialisation and consequential entrenched poverty are being dealt with."
"For me, places such as Bradford have to be the test of whether we have succeeded in Government."