There can be few clearer illustrations of how Westminster represents the national interest without reflecting the national experience than the borough of Redcar and Cleveland. People in the area talk of the national parliament as though it is a regional body not only situated in, but working exclusively for, the interests of London and the south-east of England. "The national political debate is totally monopolised by the concerns of middle England," says David Walsh, the leader of the Redcar and Cleveland borough council. "Whether it is families who are worried about their precious house prices or government agencies who are too timid to take on aggressive regional policies, decisions rarely seem to be taken with the north-east in mind."