As one of the crucibles of the Industrial Revolution, the Potteries owed its success to a mix of geographical and geological good fortune, homegrown entrepreneurial nous and a spirit for experimentation. These competitive advantages remain part of the city’s lifeblood. However, the decline of the Potteries’ ceramics sector amidst the current economic downturn and the loss of centuries-old skills needs to be addressed urgently. A multifaceted plan to bring energy costs down through an industrial social tariff, a commitment to bring forward a ‘country of origin’ Parliamentary Bill and clampdown on cheap imports and counterfeit products, alongside a ‘Buy British’ campaign to protect order books and supply chains will help Stoke-on-Trent to continue to capitalise on its ceramics excellence reputation. @bbcmtd @ElizabethGlinka #PoliticsMidlands