As we prepare to leave the European Union, it is down to us to decide what kind of a nation we want to be. For policy makers and regional and national leaders, it presents a unique chance for us to address regional differences by ensuring that all areas flourish and play their part in creating a vibrant and sustainable new national economy.

The need to address these disparities is pressing. In spite of the efforts of successive Governments, we have some of the most profound interregional disparities in the industrialised world – with many parts of the UK, like Cornwall, almost decoupled from London and the South East.