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Linked
by the M62, East Lancs, Ship Canal and a shared industrial past, Manchester
and Liverpool are not a million miles apart. Thirty-five to be more
precise.
More recently, Manchester's been out in front with its massive urban
regeneration, music and club scene and the Commonwealth Games. Oh
yes, and there's Man United.
But many of us in Manchester are genuinely chuffed that Liverpool's
now won the Capital of Culture bid. In fact, Manchester gave strong
backing for the Liverpool bid. From BBC News:
'Rival' city
supports culture bid
Why? Because in many ways we're not that different - both are vibrant,
creative and fiercely independent Northern cities with much to be
proud of.
So - football aside - are Mancs and Scousers more alike than we
dare to admit? Or does the rivalry run too deep? And what do
you think of Liverpool's success?
Have Your Say
>>>
From
Rob in Birmingham
I think Manchester will suffer considerably as a result of Liverpool
being awarded the European Capital of Culture title for 2008. Any
outside investors looking at the North West will now choose Liverpool
as the more up and coming city! Manchester will also lose out on all
the handouts it has so often been given by the government to finance
it's prestigious projects. It might then have to compete on a level
playing field with Birmingham, who have been forced to construct virtually
all of their prestigious projects eg the NEC, Symphony Hall, NIA,
New Bull Ring, Eastside etc through private finance.
From
Anna in Liverpool
I like both cities. Its quite silly that some people can't just
get along, no matter where they're from. I'm from widnes, which is
near Liverpool (fantastic city) but I think Manchester probably has
more going on as a whole. I think Liverpool's Capital of Culture status
will make the North West thrive like never before. So both cities
will get their fair dues.
From
chris parker in hyde cheshire
me mams a scouser married to a salfordian, so i have a duel nationality!
From
Chris in Manchester
I agree with Cath in Parma. For me personally at least I am delighted
that the government has realised that culture does indeed exist in
the north and hope that Liverpool can experience similar improvements
that Manchester has seen these past few years. Hopefully their accolade
will help the region become the real heart of the country.
From
Em Felton in Liverpool
As a typical scouser, i wud love to shove our recent award in
the mancs' faces and laugh, but being more polite than that, i will
restrict myself to saying. Ha.
From
Jonathan in Manchester
As a southerner who has lived in Liverpool and now lives in Manchester,
I think it is great news for both cities. There is already far more
inter-relation between them than most people realise and the whole
region (and indeed country) needs a strong Manchester and a strong
Liverpool. Well done Liverpool.
From
Cath in UK
I have 'got real'. A young student from Liverpool, studying in
Manchester, was murdered recently in the city. There are people from
Liverpool who are scared to open their mouths in Manchester in case
their accent provokes trouble.
From
Dan in Manchester, England
Yes, football may be an important part of many people's lives, but
recognise this - when was Britain at its Strongest? When the 'old
industrial heartlands' of the North West were at their strongest.
Why? Because friendly rivalry creates ideas, which create jobs and
prosperity. Sport is the visable rivalry. Strip out the violent minority,
and you are left with people striving against each other to be the
best. What we see now is competition between two cities, united in
competing with the rest of the UK. Maintain this, and, with support
from Whitehall, our region will save the South-East from overcrowding
and collapse, and emerge as a strong region of prosperity for all
who live in it. With the right management, we can do well for ourselves,
the UK and Europe.
From
cath in parma, italy
There will always be a friendly rivalry between liverpool and manchester.
I'm glad its gone to liverpool.The most important thing is that it
didn't go to Birmingham....for any true northerner that would have
been unbearable.
From
Shirley Ann in Manchester
Considering that some of you refer to yourselves as "intelligent and
cultured" people, i find it interesting that you are so disturbed
by Ant Sutton's comments. To take him so seriously to me is ridiculous,
considering that he is obviously a football fan his disgust is expected.
Cath, to believe that such comments are "dangerous" is laughable,
get real. Yet perhaps what Ant rightly picks up on is that we mancunians,
that is to say, the average man in manchester could not care less
about such awards. If perhaps such an effort were vested into 'real'
issues, such as improving impovrished areas such as Mosside, levenshulme,
longsight, Toxteth or Kirby then maybe we would take you seriously.
Its about time culture took a back seat, and instead of trying to
figure out if there is a rivalry between the two cities, what we should
be doing is adressing real life and real poverty evident in both cities.
I have to agree with Ants non- serious mentality concerning this issue.
Who cares about cultural awards, not us in the real world, not us
that saw how the front of Mosside was made to look respectable in
the name of the Commenwealth Games in order to impress visitors who
would never see the reality behind the scenes.
From
Steve Brunt in London
There's nothing wrong with the city of Liverpool, it's the people
who live in it us Mancs don't like. Putting the rivalries aside, the
two cities should develop better links and challenge London's unimaginative
domination of the real investment - government and commercial funding.
Together, the two cities would have far more to offer than this over-priced
concrete county.
From
Tony in Liverpool
I agree with a lot of Eleanor's comments but the one thing this
award will give Liverpool, is a much needed confidence boost. For
years the media have portryaed Liverpool in a bad light- rubbishing
it's achievements etc. The city has a lot more to offer than The Beatles
trail, just as Birmingham has more than the RSC at Stratford and the
Shakespeare trail- but to ignore these attractions would be madness.
I think the one great thing we can get out of this, is a shaking off
of the hackneyed stereotype- a city wasted, full of wasters. It's
time for Liverpool to look forward and I can think of nowhere in the
country that deserves that kind of break, as nowhere in the country
has been the target of a vindictive and manipulative media. That includes
you too BBC (anyone see Liquid News last night? Disgusting).
From
Eleanor Giles in London
My only problem with Liverpool winning this award (as a Manc) is that
Liverpool, like Manchester, has had so much urban re-generation money
pumped into it in the last few years, that winning an award which
means it will get even more is unfair. The money already hanging around
the city has enabled its 'culture' to come through, and it is standing
tall because of it. The award should have gone to another city that
really needed more extra money to develop the undernourished cultural
aspects it had. If the publicity Liverpool has given itself is to
be believed, it doesn't need any more legs up in the cultural stakes.
I know the fact that the Beatles once lived there makes it a pilgrimage
for tourists, but if the national trust have already listed lennon's
council house, then does Liverpool really need more subsidies and
help? shouldn't a city with as much cultural diversity yet less obvious
tourist beacons be given a chance? Manchester, and Liverpool, are
b! oth doing just fine. The award and subsequent financial boosts
should have been given to other, less obvious beacons of tourist driven
culture.
From
Tony Higgins in Liverpool
In reply to Ant- here's one Scouser who doesn't hate Mancs. On the
contrary, I studied at Manchester Poly, lived there for over three
years (Didsbury), have many friends there- including my closest friend,
shop there, spend my money there, eat there..I could go on. If there
is a division, it's because people like you (let me guess, a football
fan..?) choose to keep those old wounds open. Manchester is a fantastic
city. It's reinvented itself brilliantly since I studied there in
the early 80's and benefited from major investment. Liverpool has
been coming up slowly behind. Don't you think, Ant, that this region
of ours is great because of TWO very different, culturally diverse
cities? What other region in England can boast that? And- for your
information, Bagdad would never have been considered for nomination
as it's not a European city. The vast majority of scousers were pleased
at the success of the Commonwealth Games and applauded Manchester
for pullin! g ! off such a stunning event. I know it suits small minded
bigots to believe there's some kind of turf war going on here but
it's simply not true. I think it's time for people to grow up and
look to the future. Manchester- I love you!
From
Mike in Manchester
I think itelligent and cultured people out there realise there
is no reason to hate Liverpool. Manchester has more of an international
outlook nowadays and is becoming too grown up and sophisticated to
indulge in petty backyard rivalries. Liverpool is the same. We are
slowly beginning to realise that having 2 potentially world class
cities in one region (the NW) is a huge asset - an asset that few
other regions can rival. Working together can only further increase
the benefits for the whole NW.
From
Kevin in Merseyside
Liverpool and Manchester, two great northern cities with a rich
and culturely diverse history. I believe that Liverpool. like Manchester
is a GREAT city with a modern city which is forward looking. Any attempt
to rubbish our name is surely doomed to fail. We've had the worst
the media can throw at us and we've come out with our heads raised
high. It is our strenghts which define us, not our failings.
P.S.
I hate football fullstop. Maybe that's why I like Manchester so
much. The people are great, the city is great, but so is Liverpool.
If only we all realised that and joined together more often. Then
we would be supreme
From
Proud to be Mancunian in M/c
Some of my best mates are scousers so as a Fiercely proud Manc
(i wouldn't ever want to be anything else - I'm Mancunian, not English
- I say I am v.chuffed for them - because its good for the region.
It shows we can do things just as well as London as we all know -
the Commonwealth Games, and now this. Hands down the east lancs road!
From
Andy in Douglas, Isle of Man
Sorry to dissapoint you Ant but Bagdad and Soweto are not in
europe and could not therefore be in the running for European Capital
of Culture!
You
are also wrong in your opinion that mancs and scousers hate each
other equally. Yes the cities football teams are more than rivals
but there is at least a genuine respect there by those closely related
to the clubs.
Having
studies at Liverpool Uni for 4 years I know lots of other mancs
in Liverpool with scouse mates who equally enjoy coming to Manchester.
Credit where its due, Liverpool deserves a break as its always the
butt of undeserved jokes - manchester was in a similar position
until recently, I hope Liverpool build on this and make the NorthWest
a great place to live.
In
summary Ant, you're so far out of touch I can not begin to explain!
From
Andy Murdoch in Manchester
friendly intelligent mancunians are pleased. the generosity of
spirit in ant sutton's comments are wonderful illustrative of the
new outward looking community in the North West. if any mancunians
want a unique cultural night out try the Philamonic Hall film nights.
From
Gill in Salford
There is nothing wrong with friendly rivalry but, in a competition
in which Manchester was not taking part, there is no reason not to
congratulate our near neighbours on their good fortune. Luckily the
'football hooligan mentality' exists only in a certain type of person
and most rational people in Manchester will realise that we can only
benefit from sharing in the events and expansion that will be happening
just down the road. I visit Liverpool regularly for shows which are
not coming to Manchester and events being held at the Albert Dock,
such as the forthcoming Mersey River Festival, and by doing so get
the best of both cities.
From
Cath in UK
The people of Manchester and Liverpool have more similarities
than differences - including a stubborness to recognise this! Prejudice
and division between cities and regions is something that should concern
all of us. How about doing cultural exchanges between the two cities
- and across the country -
so that others don't become so ignorant and dangerous.
Resentment usually happens when one place is favoured over another,
so seeing how Manchester is doing so well at the moment I don't know
why it should resent Liverpool one bit.
From
Andy Murdoch in manchester
friendly intelligent mancunians are pleased. the generosity of
spirit in ant sutton's comments are wonderful illustrative of the
new outward looking community in the North West. if any mancunians
want a unique cultural night out try the Philamonic Hall film nights.
From
Andy Griffith in Woking, Surrey
Actually, the Capital of Culture bid was against Newcastle/Gateshead,
Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Oxford. I'm pleased Liverpool won
it, despite being a Manc (although currently, hopefully temporarily,
exiled in Surrey). Despite the rivalry, the two cities have far more
in common than either of them do with Birmingham or London, for example,
and where Liverpool benefitted from the proximity of last year's Commonwealth
Games, I'm sure Manchester will benefit from Liverpool's 2008 Capital
of Culture title. Both events can be viewed as a triumph for the North
West as a whole, and that's no bad thing. Well done you scousers,
I say.
From
Nc in Wigan
A fine example of 'Mancunian' Culture form Ant in Stretford.
From
Ant Sutton, Stretford, Manchester
I can't think why any true Mancunian would be "genuinely chuffed"
why Liverpool "won" the capital of Culture bid. Who was
the competition....Bagdad and Soweto? Liverpool are second rate to
us Mancs in all ways. Mancs hate scousers, Scousers hate Mancs. It
has and always will be the case. Trying to get people who are not
clued up to praise Liverpool is a waste of time. We don't like them
or there City so why pretend otherwise. I am sure if we had gone up
for Capital of Culture we would have beaten Liverpool, Bagdad and
Soweto hands down.
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