North West: Liverpool's bid for Capital of Culture

Liverpool's Chinatown - a remarkable blend of East and West

In 2008 Britain has to provide the European Union with an official capital of culture. Six UK cities have been shortlisted including Liverpool.

Liverpool is competing with Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead and Oxford for the prestigious title that will guarantee the winner positive publicity, increased tourism, jobs and investment.

The winning city will be announced by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell this summer.

Political bias?

Could Liverpool's bid be the victim of political bias? Front runners Newcastle-Gateshead are the bookies' favourite. Are the Geordies guaranteed political backing from the highest level?

Prime Minister Tony Blair represents the nearby constituency of Sedgefield, whilst Cabinet members Alan Milburn and Hilary Armstrong also represent constituencies in County Durham. Art lover and Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson is also backing the Newcastle-Gateshead bid. All very cosy or could that backfire?

Proud cultural heritage

Liverpool is the birthplace of the Beatles with a strong track record in popular culture and the fine arts. It is well endowed with major art galleries including the Tate and Walker galleries.

The city abounds with architectural gems - St George's Hall, the Pier Head and the Albert Dock area. Chinatown is a remarkable blend of East and West. It is without doubt "Top of the Pops" with groups such as Merseybeat, The Beatles, and the Coral.

City Council confident

Liverpool City Council Leader, Mike Storey, is confident that the bid process will be fair:

"Remember that when Labour-run Glasgow was chosen to be City of Culture in 1990, it was a Conservative government that took the decision," says councillor Storey.

He added, "I have every confidence in the judges, led by Sir Jeremy Isaacs, and any attempt to interfere with the outcome would backfire."

150,000 Liverpudlians have signed up to support the city's bid. There are some sceptics. Local urban consultant, Tony Siebenthaler, commented that the bid for capital of culture is a mere distraction, and an excuse for what he calls "the regeneration elite" to go chasing meaningless titles.

The Politics Show

So what do you think? E-mail your views below to The Politics Show.

And join presenter Jim Hancock for The Politics Show every Sunday at 12 noon on BBC 1.

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