I WAS delighted with the Cities Unlimited report of the Conservative Party's new Policy Exchange think tank – well done!

I have not known such mirth for years! How Mr.Cameron needs an Eton/Oxbridge world-view of the British people to inform him!
When I listen to the Friday evening traffic reports on radio of the motorways of the south all grinding to a halt and commuters returning home to their beds at 9 in the evening, when I recall the congestion of the roads of Oxford and the exhaust fumes being gorged onto its streets, when I open relief maps of Britain and see how low above sea-level is much of the south of England and watch the increasing number of floods on the news alongside the predictions of rising sea levels, when I see the urban degeneration in the planning of Oxford turning its once beautiful city centre into a mass of Benidorm-style nightclubs, I feel I ought to congratulate Mr Tim Leunig on his sense of humour.

When I can walk a mile from Sunderland's city centre to fine-sanded beaches, breathe in fresh sea air, have time after work each day for leisure and family, have the choice on days out on open roads between the Cheviot, Cleveland and Pennine hills, the dales or Lake District, the North East beaches, visit castles and towns such as Durham, York and Hexham, attend the multifarious all-age community and cultural events throughout the region, I can appreciate the joke yet more.
My invitation to the people of the south of England is to come north, let us educate you once again and learn why we think we have chosen the better portion.
The Rev Tom Gibbons
St Peter's Church,
Monkwearmouth,
Sunderland

We moved north
ABOUT 19 years ago I moved from the south east – I was born in Kent and moved to Sussex – to come to Sunderland.

I frequently go to visit friends and have just returned from my latest visit. I have no desire to move back and come away thinking that my
lifestyle here is so much better.

Everyone down south is in such a hurry to get to the next 'thing' whatever that may be, people think the grassis greener there but problems still exist.

I regard Sunderland as my home and am proud to be one of its residents. Let us all be proud of our city and all it has to offer.

Incidently, my daughter and her husband moved from London to the US last year as they, too, had had enough of the south!
Mrs Jane Webb,
Fulford Park,
Sunderland

Nothing happens
A TORY-LEANING think tank, once backed by David Cameron, talks Sunderland down, suggesting Wearsiders should move south if they want prosperity.

In response the Labour-run city council talks the city up – or, at
least attempts to, as the weeds on the site of what could have been
the most potent symbol of the city's rebirth grow ever taller.
Sunderland in the media spotlight, yet again, for all the wrong reasons.

In this city it seems nothing positive ever happens, nothing happens at all.Then the needle returns to the start of the song and we all sing along like before.

And what was meant to be Sunderland's biggest symbol of urban regeneration, the Vaux site, will still be there tonight, tomorrow and in years to come.

And there will be more reports, words, talk, claims and counter-claims.
The people of Sunderland want action, not words. But action will only come through change. And for change to happen Wearsiders just have to believe that there is an alternative.
Patrick Lavelle,
Independent candidate for Sunderland Central

Plenty to offer
SUNDERLAND is an area which has a lot to offer both the resident and the visitor, and the new Blue Badge tourist guides of North East England certainly endorse this view, after spending time in the city of Sunderland while studying for their new qualification at Newcastle College this year.

We all wholeheartedly disagree with Tim Leunig that people in Sunderland should move South. The city is not in decline, in fact it has much to offer.

As tourist guides we are proud to promote Sunderland both as a place to live and as a tourism destination in the North East.
Patricia Lowery,
Blue Badge Tourist Guide
Secretary, North East England Tourist Guides Association

Untold arrogance
SUNDERLAND should grab with both hands the suggestion that they be "abandoned" by Government.

The idea mooted by David Cameron's favourite think tank, Policy Exchange, is that Government should assist in the relocation of Northerners from declining cities which are in their words "beyond help".

It is a perennial misconception of untold arrogance and self-deception by politicians that they, and only they, hold all the answers to our lives.

I suggest to Sunderland city councillors that they take this opportunity to declare themselves completely independent of Westminster and immediately create a 30-mile radius 10% tax zone complete with duty free shopping.

In one stroke they would not only unburden themselves from the excesses of Governmental expenses, inefficiency, and wastage but become the foremost destination in Europe for businesses and individuals seeking the laissez-faire lifestyle in the new "Monaco of the North".
Tim Butt,
Southgate,
London

yr txts
WHAT a cheek! I'm proud 2 have been born in sunderland. I wouldn't move 2 dirty London ever – Edna, South Hylton.

AS per usual we don't exist to the pompous southerners. Never have, never will. Damn disgrace! – Mrs Hughes, Sunderland

MY view on think tank is, you can stick it where the sun don't shine. Why in God's name would us Mackems what to move down south. No thank you! – Colin McBeth, Hetton

GO to S. Shields, Ncle etc and you will see the raw deal we are getting with shopping, parks, things to do, seafront, etc. It's not the people, its those running the council who are to blame! Here's to another sucessful annual airshow (burger van convention) until 3008! It's all we get! – GS, Sunderland

WHY would we want to move from Sunderland? We r proud to be Mackems. SAFC rules – Prestbury Road Japs