THE General Election backfired on the desired position for a clear mandate in dealing with Brexit under the Conservatives.

A hung parliament at the commencement of the campaign was something that the polls did not hint at.

North of the border separatist politics appeared to have taken a bashing too.

Who would have thought at the start of this journey that the DUP could end up with such influence?

While the Conservative manifesto tended to indicate more of the same; continued austerity, some investments in health, infrastructure and education, all necessary to maintain some momentum for the country, this outcome is likely to lead to a review of the overall policy position.

So what do we need to take us forward? Warrington’s position of success in engineering and logistics needs greater investment in skills, infrastructure to support the movement of people and goods and housing for the workers to live.

Under-investment will lead to underperformance and only so much can be done locally to take this forward.

The Northern Powerhouse concept appeared to have faded a little along with the former Chancellor.

Perhaps now is the best time to shout again and hope that Euro-politics don’t get too rough in the meantime.

LAWRENCE Bellamy is deputy provost as the University of Chester's Padgate campus.