Thought for the Day, 15 October 2008

The Rt Rev. James Jones

Good Morning

Tomorrow Daniel enters the Lion's Den up here in Liverpool. The author of the report that recommends ' the rolling up' of the regeneration strategies of the Northern cities is coming to the Anglican Cathedral to face the music! The Dean's arranged for him to debate with the city's leaders and academics. Dr Tim Leunig of the Policy Exchange is an economic historian with radical views. As well as questioning the value of regeneration schemes he proposes a shift of the population 'encouraging significant numbers of people to move , to London and the South East'

Did I hear a groan from those grid locked in traffic within the M25 doughnut? Well, there's some serious stuff in this paper, even though some of the conclusions will raise hackles in the south and the north. Reading the report in the light of the last two weeks certainly widens the eyes not least its appeal to market forces as a panacea for our urban problems. Whatever else is going on at the moment it's surely about the limits of the market to guarantee the common good. And although communities need markets, they also need other interventions that secure the peace and safety of the realm. That's what these urban initiatives are all about.

10 years ago when I became Bishop of Liverpool we had the Press Conference on the regenerated water front, to showcase the renaissance of the city. One photographer asked for a picture saying his Editor wanted one of the Bishop standing in a derelict site. He wanted the stereotype of Liverpool. I politely refused - and there was no picture in the paper. But better no picture than the wrong picture. The truth about our northern cities is that there are at least 2 stories to tell - yes, there are still areas of consolidated poverty that will certainly get worse with a recession but there are also rivers of renewal flowing through. And these rivers have a number of tributaries - the market, the state, charity and even faith.

Over the great West door of the Cathedral a new Tracey Emin installation was unveiled last month. As you can imagine it's been quite controversial. In between the arch of the door and the magnificent stained glass window above she has written in a purple-pink neon script "I felt you and I knew you loved me". For those with the eyes to see it's a spiritual statement about the source of all true regeneration. It'll radiate its light, and its truth, on all those who tomorrow evening come to the Lion's Den for an audience with Daniel.