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A day doesn't go by now without some disquiet from northern Labour MPs about coalition cuts.

But a new report released today by a thinktank suggests the North needs to "lead not plead" and carve out its own future rather than just protest about any cuts made by George Osborne and the government.

The Election Unplugged report looks at the impact of the change in government on our politics, our economics and our society.

It does highlight many of the concerns.

There will be big cuts in the public sector, the North is heavily dependent on it, so the contributors to the report accept there are anxious times ahead.

The new government does not include many northern ministers, and is heavily dependent on votes in the south of England, so that again could leave the region isolated.

But the report also points out that the new government is making some noises that should encourage the North.

One of its first acts has been to introduce a , that's promising more powers and freedom for our councils.

It points out that the Big Society ideas may offer opportunities for the region.

And .

Manufacturing is back in vogue - something the North will welcome.

And also perversely a government dependent on votes in the South may be more willing to avoid overdevelopment in the Home Counties.

is cited as one example of that sensitivity.

If the government is serious about rebalancing the economy then, the report argues, it should be looking towards accelerating economic growth in the North.

Of course, all this is theoretical, and there will be deep suspicions about how serious the new Government will be about some of these issues.

But the report talks about the North taking control of its own future too.

And it says the old days of Northern delegations going cap in hand to Whitehall isn't the way to do that.

Instead it says the North needs to come up with its own solutions to the problems of shrinking public expenditure.

As points out, the North East in particular is a cohesive region compared to many others.

It has fewer councils because all of them are unitary, and could work much more in partnership to deliver innovative solutions.

The report argues that it's those solutions which the North's politicians need to focus on as well as the problems which will be caused by spending cuts.

If you're interested in discussing any of these issues further, there's more about them on , where you'll also find to discuss the fallout from the 2010 election.

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