The growth of English regionalism? institutions and identity

Abstract

This article assesses the current state and possible future development of English regionalism through a specific focus on the question of identity in the North East and South East of England. Although popular regionalism is comparatively weak, and identity in the form of cultural resources does not tend to be available or mobilized at an institutional level, it is argued that a modest popular and institutional base, together with the capacity for nascent regional organizations to present a more region-centred perspective based on economic attributes, creates the potential for the future growth of regionalism in England.