What are these things actually for and in whose interest are these decisions made?
I love Newcastle but it's obviously not the best city in the world, probably not even close. And as for city of culture, Sunderland or Coventry clearly aren't the most cultured, exciting places in the country, even after all of the dressing up they do when in the running for such awards.
I'm just wondering who actually takes this stuff seriously and what the benefit is? 'Cause when I read these sorts of things I can't help but seeing the elephant in the room that nobody ever seems to address.
Is it not just given to places that need rejuvenating?