However, they all share a common failing, their inability to convert rhetoric into reality. Much of the fault for this lies externally.

Derry’s calls for significant investment fall upon the fallow ground of a Civil Service consistent only in its pathetic attitude to the North West which is dismissive to anything West of the Bann. They have successfully parried attacks upon themselves and their inaction and neglect by characterising all of us as nothing more than ‘whingers’ and work-shy, benefit cheats.

This attitude is firmly anchored in a particular historic mindset which sought to reward those loyal to this statelet and in turn disadvantage those disloyal to it. This has allowed these individuals over many generations and, with no accountability, to direct investment away from the city towards the failed new city of Craigavon, the failed new University of Ulster and the failed De Lorean project.

Their day is over, yet those who supported, fostered and delivered such a one sided discriminatory policy now see fit to preach that increasing state investment or redirecting private direct foreign investment towards the North West is impossible, non viable or illegal. No such impediments seemed to exist in the past when speed boat races and golf classics were funded in Portrush to ‘Make Belfast Work’.

Having successfully overseen the stripping out of every remnant of the manufacturing base that once existed within the North West, the best we are being offered in exchange is predominantly call centre jobs at wage levels one half of the average industrial wage.

This is a policy mix based on equal measures of intentional neglect and ignorance. Derry must now act decisively, and on its own right to re-establish itself as the second city within the North.

To achieve this it requires a first class autonomous University rooted in research not a campus, proper transport links that enable the city to compete on a level playing field attracting futureproofed ‘sunrise’ industry not the sunset industries traditionally sent here, a state of the art telecommunications structure that facilitates not constrains technological development and a commitment by all of the agencies within the city to work collectively to deliver a series of agreed initiatives within a set time limit.

Strength

Derry’s strength lies in its people and its place. This includes its location on an undeveloped waterfront, its historic cultural heritage and its deep and enduring embracing of knowledge. Thus Derry already possesses the requisite components for a successful city renaissance.