As New Year’s Eve Approaches -we need action to help local pubs

As people in North Durham prepare to celebrate New Year’s Eve, the number of local pubs continues to decline as publicans are hit by Government policies. In recent year’s many people have found that the pub in which they traditionally celebrate New Year’s Eve has closed.

North Durham has lost seven pubs in four years. Across the North East as a whole, over 100 pubs closed between 2005 and 2009. This is part of an accelerating nationwide trend that is seeing six pubs closing every week.

The pub is the beating heart of the community. Local pubs act as social hubs, allowing people to come together in a warm, social environment. The closure of local pubs is keenly felt in communities all year round but it really hits home at this time of year.

We should be doing all that we can to save our local pubs before it is too late. That means cutting taxes on low alcohol drinks such as beer and increasing tax on high alcohol problem drinks, like super strength cider. It means supporting our pubs as vital parts of the community and important providers of local jobs.

The Greatest Albums of the Noughties

I heartily accept that this blog has nothing whatsoever to do with politics. However, with the noughties drawing to a close – now seems as good a time as any to run through what I think are the best five albums of the decade. This subject has been the topic of disagreement and discussion with quite a few friends ever since NME and the Times published their lists about a month ago. Let me know if you agree or disagree!

1. The Strokes – ‘Is This It’

This album changed everything in the noughties and it came right at the start of the decade. Before The Strokes came along, music had become a fairly sludgy, middle of the road mess – all Stereophonics and Travis. New York’s finest kicked the door down and hundreds came following in their wake. Music had an edge again. Music had meaning again. Indisputably the best album of the decade – retains its magnificence with every listen.

2. Johnny Cash – American III: Solitary Man

The ‘American’ series of recording put together by Johnny Cash, with the able assistance of Rick Rubin is probably the most consistently brilliant series of albums since the Stones wrote ever musical rule in the book in the late 60s and early 70s. This album is dark, stark and magnificent – mighty beginnings with a great Won't Back Down cover and dominated by an awesome centrepiece of I See A Darkness and a cover of Nick Cave’s oddly topical death row ballad, ‘The Mercy Seat’. American III broods on life, death, love and everything in between.

3. Jay Z – The Blueprint

Jay Z had completely missed my radar until I saw his show stealing performance at Glasto in 2008. I saw a man at the top of his game and this album is the album of a man at the top of his game. From the swaggering grudge song ‘Takeover’ to the dancefloor classics such as ‘Izzo’ to the staggeringly bleak but tremendous Renegade, this album oozes lyrical brilliance. A must even for people who don’t know hip hop at all.

4. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever You Say I Am

Amongst other things, this album was a tremendous example of how the power of the internet had changed music. It was also an example of how the power of sonic noise and ultra clever lyrics can make a mighty album. A fine modern masterpiece, set against the background of a Northern working class upbringing that I can more than relate to. Brilliant.

5. Primal Scream – XTRMNTR

When they are with it (and even sometimes when they are not), Primal Scream can be one of the most exhilarating of all live bands. With this album, they put that tremendous exhilaration on record. A thrilling listen.

Congratulations To Everybody In North Durham Honoured In The New Year's Honours

The New Year's Honours list is often dominated by talk of celebrities who have been honoured. But there are a large number of people in North Durham who have been similarly honoured today. I have listed them all below. COngratulations to each and every one of you -richly deserved for services to North Durham and the North East. Apologies to anybody I have inadvertently missed off the list.

OBE

Dr Linda Ebbatson, Chester-le-Street District Council leader. For services to local government. (Durham)

MBE

John Cunningham, for charitable services. (Stanley)

Ronald Dodd, chairman, Training and Development Resource, Tyneside. For services to skills. (Chester-le-Street)

Atma Singh Gill, for services to the community. (Chester-le-Street)

Alan John Godfrey, publisher of historic maps. For services to heritage. (Edmondsley)

Lady Alderman Edna Hunter, for services to the community. (Stanley)

New Video: Talking About The Campaign For Change In North Durham

Below is a video in which I talk about the campaign for real change in North Durham. I am hoping to do plenty of these videos over the next few months as the election comes closer.

For those who are interested, the video was filmed in the beautiful village of Tanfield. Tantobie and Sleepy Valley are in the background.

Please bear with me when it comes to picture quality.

More Violent Robberies Highlight The Need For Action Against Crime

I have blogged a few times about the worrying upsurge in crime in North Durham. In the past few months there have been armed robberies in both Ouston and Stanley. Just before Christmas, another violent robbery happened in our area - this time in a Tantobie off licence. The shop assistant acted heroically by grabbing the gun of the violent robbers and standing them off until they left the shop. She should be saluted for her bravery.

With such frightening local incidents, the people of North Durham need no reminding that there has been a surge in violent crime in recent years.

SInce Labour came to power, violent crime has risen by 70 per cent in the UK. The latest British Crime Survey showed that there were over a million violent crimes committed on strangers in 2008/09. These are truly shocking statistics. And one of the really shocking things is that so little is being done about it. Indeed, a recent report showed that a number of violent crimes are being routinely ignored by the Police.

We need to get more Police Officers on to the streets and give them real powers to deal with violent crime. If there is one consistent theme from the people of North Durham when I speak to them on the doorstep, it is that they want more Police on the streets to tackle crime and make them feel safer.

Writing In Today's Northern Echo - Labour's Failure To Create North Eastern Jobs

I have a piece in today's Northern Echo talking about Labour's failure to create jobsin the North East of England.

I have reproduced the piece in full below:

THIS year has been yet another of Labour failure to help the economy in our region.

The recession has hit the North-East particularly badly.

Unemployment in North Durham alone is 94 per cent higher than it was in January 2008, with thousands of families left to face a difficult Christmas period because of unemployment.

Labour’s policies have failed to help create jobs. We are the only major economy still in recession, with the highest rate of youth unemployment in Europe.

On top of this, the Government has decided to punish hard-working people and place a “tax on jobs” by increasing National Insurance.

We need real action to create jobs. This means a £50bn National Loan Guarantee Scheme to get credit flowing to business again. It means creating 100,000 new apprenticeships. It means ensuring that Labour’s proposed tax on jobs is reversed.

The Labour Party has grown out of touch with local people. It is no longer offering solutions to our region’s problems and has no vision or ambition for the future.

It must make way for passionate North-Easterners, like myself, who are determined to take action to create jobs and move the region’s economy forward to a more prosperous future.

The link to the piece is here:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/letters/4822121.Labour_failure/

The Top Political Speeches of the Noughties

Lists seem to be the modus operandi of plenty of political blogs. With the noughties screeching to a halt, I thought that today would be a good day to do a top five political speeches of the decade (I'm minded to to a top 5 albums tomorrow if anybody cares). A word of warning - the below will probably not please narrow political tribalists of either the right or the left. A good speech is a good speech, whether you agree with it or not. Let me know your thoughts.

1. Barack Obama - South Carolina Primary Victory Speech - "Yes We Can"

Obama made political oratory matter again. His soaring oratory took him from outsider to front runner in a race that the 'experts' said that Hilary couldn't lose. He inspired Americans and those outside of America who love the US but hated what Bush had done to it and achieved the highest share of the vote for any Democrat since LBJ. The spontaneous and near universal surge of joy that greeted his election (I helped campaign for him and was in a jubilant New York on election night) was proof that his oratory and message had reached millions.

Obama could probably have filled every spot of a top ten speeches of the decade. The 2004 convention speech; the Iowa caucus acceptance speech; the Philadelphia speech on race; the convention address; the election night acceptance speech; and the speech defending healthcare reform from hysterical right wing attacks would all be worthy contenders. But the acceptance speech in South Carolina was possibly the most soaring of the campaign. He had survived all that the Clinton camp could throw at him (including a red faced Bill) and emerged triumphed. As political oratory it is masterful.

2. David Cameron - Speech to Conservative Party Conference, 2007 - "We Will Fight, Britain Will Win"

They said that speeches didn't matter any more. This one certainly mattered. The media had made their mind up - Gordon Brown was ready to call an early election. That was until this speech. This speech in 2007 turned round the media narrative and forced Gordon Brown to bottle the election. A thoroughly progressive Conservative speech and very much one of the most important British political speeches of the decade.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7024919.stm

3. Robin Cook - Resignation Speech

We may not have seen many speakers of the greatness of Bevan or Foot in the noughties, but this resignation speech was very much in that oratorical tradition. Whether you agreed with him or not, Robin Cook displayed enormous courage in resigning from Cabinet over the Iraq War and he captivated the House of Commons in a way that very few people can with this address. His intellect and oratory are sadly missed.

4. Tony Blair - 2001

Tribal Tories might baulk at the inclusion of this in the list, but Tony Blair was the supreme political communicator of his generation. He was the master of the art of the setpiece speech - particularly in the annual showdown with Gordon Brown, where Blair regularly outshone the then Chancellor. He simply cannot be left off a list of the top speeches of the decade. This speech was the moment when Blair was probably at the peak of his powers. He had won a second landslide and he was, for so many people, speaking for them about the reaction to September 11th.

5. Howard Dean - 'The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party'

The Democrats had acted like rabbits in headlights since the 2002 mid-term elections. They didn't know how to react to the damaging policies being introduced by the Bush administration. This speech shook the Democrats from their collective tupor and made them realise that they could win again. It wasn't Howard Dean who was to depose the hard right Republicans but his campaign made a lot of what happened in 2008 possible.

We Must Support Local Shops and Reinvigorate Our High Streets

As the people of the North East head off to the post Christmas sales, they will be shopping on High Streets that have been decimated by the recession. The high streets of Stanley, Chester-le-Street and Sacriston are scarred with empty shops and this is the case across the North East.

Our region has the highest business property vacancy rate in the country - of 9.7%. We also have, by far, the largest number of vacant former Woolworths in the country. Recent research by the Local Data Company showed that, in July, 90% of the former Woolworths stores in the North East are vacant - compared to a national average of 70% and only 50% in the London area.

This is yet another example of a complacent Labour Party letting our region down. They have taken us all for granted for much too long. The local high street should be the hub of the community. I fondly remember the vibrant high streets of Chester-le-Street, Stanley and Sacriston when I was growing up in the area. It saddens me now to see the number of boarded up shops in our area. We need to do all that we can to reinvigorate our high streets.

That means working with local shopkeepers to reduce the bureaucracy that makes their life so difficult and fighting back against the anti social behaviour that local shops have to deal with on a daily basis. We need to take action to restore our high streets to their former glory.

Kauto Star - One Of The All Time Greats

There are moments in sport when one competitor is so far superior to his or her rivals that he spends most of the event basically laughing at his opponents. Look at Usain Bolt's Olympic 100m triumph. Remember Botham or Viv Richards swaggering to a mighty innings. Think about those old pictures of Cruyff, Maradona, Charlton or Pele. Well - another of those fabulous moments in sport happened on Boxing Day, when Kauto Star confirmed himself as one of the all time greats of jump racing, with a victory as facile as it was astonishing.

To win the second biggest race in the calendar (after the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which Kauto, of course also won) without drawing sweat really is an amazing achievement. To put top class steeplechasers to the sword is surely the sign of true equine greatness.

There is little doubt that we witnessed one of the all time greats on Boxing Day. It is getting to the point where (and whisper this) comparisons with the mighty Arkle will be in no way overblown. Roll on March and the quest for equine immortality and the clash with Denman.

Merry Christmas To Everybody In North Durham

Merry Christmas to everybody. I hope that you all have a fantastic few days and make the most of these very festive scenes we are having in the North East at the moment.

Particular thoughts to all the servicemen from North Durham who are in a war zone this Christmas.

I will blog again after Christmas but, in the mean time, eat, drink and be merry.

Labour's Cavalier Approach To Higher Education

This wasn't the kind of news that students and universities had been hoping for. Today, Lord Mandelson announced that the Government was cutting funding to universities by some £390 million. This comes only weeks after the Government cut back the Further Education budget. The Government should have remembered that we need a highly skilled workforce to compete in a global marketplace. We are also in the absurd position where universities are being fined for trying to meet Government targets.

As I have blogged previously, the Government has completely failed to widen participation in Higher Education. From 2000 to 2007, we slipped from 3rd to 14th in the OECD league table for university graduation. Now these cuts mean that the Labour Party effectively wants to narrow participation in Higher Education and diminish opportunities for people from working class backgrounds. I couldn't disagree more with their approach.

Higher education courses must be available to all those who are qualified by ability and attainment to pursue them and who wish to do so. That is why, as set out in the Conservative 'Get Britain Working' document, we need to create more university places, rather than reduce opportunity as the Labour Party seems determined to do. We also need to expand Further Education, vocational education and training to properly invest in our future as a nation and as a region.

The Genius of Sid Waddell

The World Darts Championship is always a great highlight of the sporting year. As well as top class, exciting sport, the event also provides a golden opportunity to listen to the razor sharp Geordie wit of Sid Waddell. Sid probably has more memorable moments in one session than the average commentator has in a lifetime. My personal favourite is this one:

“When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more kingdoms left to conquer… Bristow is only 27.”

And there are plenty more where that came from. Enjoy:

“If we’d had Phil Taylor at Hastings against the Normans, they’d have gone home.”

“Bristow reasons . . . Bristow quickens … Aaahhhhh, Bristow.”

“He’s about as predictable as a Wasp on speed”

“Look at the man go, its like trying to stop a water buffalo with a pea-shooter”

“The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in, with a portion of chips… you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them”

“Big Cliff Lazarenko’s idea of exercise is sitting in a room with the windows open taking the lid off something cool and fizzy.”

“His eyes are bulging like the belly of a hungry chaffinch”

“That’s the greatest comeback since Lazarus.”

“Under that heart of stone beat muscles of pure flint.”

“He looks about as happy as a penguin in a microwave.”

“The pendulum swinging back and forth like a metronome”

“His face is sagging with tension.”

“He’s been burning the midnight oil at both ends.”

“That’s like giving Dracula the keys to the blood bank”

“The players are under so much duress, it’s like duressic park out there!”

“John Lowe is striding out like Alexander the Great conquering the Persians”

“By the time of the final on Sunday he should be fit to burst!”

“There’s only one word for that – magic darts!”

“I don’t know what he’s had for breakfast but Taylor knocked the Snap, Crackle and Pop outta Bristow”

“Even Hypotenuse would have trouble working out these angles”

“Steve Beaton – The adonis of darts, what poise, what elegance – a true roman gladiator with plenty of hair wax.”

“Eat your heart out Harold Pinter, we’ve got drama with a capital D in Essex.”

“He’s playing out of his pie crust.”

“They won’t just have to play outta their skin to beat Phil Taylor. They’ll have to play outta their essence!”

“Darts players are probably a lot fitter than most footballers in overall body strength.”

“There’s no one quicker than these two tungsten tossers…”

“Phil Taylor’s got the consistency of a planet… and he’s in a darts orbit!”

“The atmosphere is a cross between the Munich Beer Festival and the Coliseum when the Christians were on the menu.”

“Steve Beaton, he’s not Adonis, he’s THE donis”

“One hundred and eighty, divided by three, is one dart at a time”

Great News About TV Debates. Time For Local Debates As Well

I'm delighted that it looks like we are going to have leader's debates before the next election. It was absurd that we are the only major democracy that doesn't have major televised debates before an election. If we are serious about re-engaging the people with those who aspire to represent them, televised debates are an absolute must.

As well as televised national debates - we need proper, town hall debates in every constituency in the country. We need to go to local people to discuss the issues that matter to local people.

With that in mind, I'm challenging my Labour and Liberal opponents to agree to a series of local, town-hall style debates across North Durham before the next election. Those of us seeking the trust of local people must go out of our way to explain to electors why we deserve their vote.

Labour Are Playing Politics When They Should Be Focusing On Job Creation

It’s extraordinary that Labour politicians seem entirely oblivious to the fact that we need to take concrete steps to tackle the unemployment crisis and help create jobs. Their decision to increase National Insurance at a time when businesses are already suffering badly suggests that they are completely out of touch with the problems affecting hard working people and businesses in our area.

So many small businesses I have spoken to have suggested that the rise in National Insurance is effectively a “tax on jobs”. And it is a tax on jobs coming at the worst possible time for job creation. We need action to create jobs in our area. What we absolutely do not need is measures such as this that makes it even more difficult for businesses to create jobs.

We need to create more apprenticeships, more training places, more FE places. We need to get credit flowing to business again and create a dynamic environment for job creation. By playing politics rather than helping to create jobs, the Government have shown that they know little and care even less about the problems affecting hard-working people in the North East. The complacent, out of touch local Labour Party must make way for proud North Easterners, such as me, willing to take the measures our region needs to create more jobs.

Delighted That Our Region's Grounds Have Been Included In The 2018 World Cup Bid

There was a great result for the North East today as both the Stadium of Light and St James' Park were named among the FA's proposed grounds for the 2018 WOrld Cup - if it is held in England.

Any other result would, of course, have been ridiculous. It's all well and good trying to choose a good "geographical spread" of grounds, but you cannot ignore the fact that the North East is the footballing heartland of the country. It is right that this has been recognised in the allocation of the grounds for 2018.

We have football under the skin in the North East. I'm a passionate Sunderland fan but I think it is quite right that both of our area's big teams have been recognised by the FA. Now let's hope that the bid team can push things forward so the North East can welcome the World Cup in 2018.

Rumours Of An Early Election... Bring It On

The press is full of rumours of an early election being held in March.

To that, all I can say is... Bring It On... The sooner the better. The people of North Durham are sick and tired of being taken for granted and are genuinely thirsty for change.

If Gordon Brown decides to call an early election, then the campaign for change in North Durham is ready and waiting. The people of North Durham have had to suffer from the complacency of a local Labour elite for much too long. We are counting down the days to real change in North Durham. And the sooner that real change can be acheived, the better.

The Absurd Shortlist For Sports Personality Of The Year

It is Sports Personality of the Year night tonight. I always remember this night was one of the highlights of the sporting year, but it does seem to have diminished in importance and value in recent years. Personally, I think that it lost a bit of credibility when the BBC tugged their forelock and gave the award to Zara Phillips a few years ago.

Nevertheless, it’s still an important showpiece for the best in sport of the year. This year, of the shortlist, surely it has to be between Andrew Strauss and Jenson Button. Strauss would surely be long odds-on if the English Cricket establishment hadn’t sold their soul to Sky and dramatically reduced the number of viewers for the Ashes this year. Of course, Ryan Giggs will get plenty of votes from glory seekers in the Home Counties, but I’m far from convinced that he would be a worthy winner.

What has astonished me is the names that are missing from the short list. Phil Taylor has taken darts to a new level this year. Winning EVERY major tournament and sweeping aside all in front of him. It seems odd that he doesn’t make the shortlist, while Andy Murray who failed to make the final of a single Grand Slam does. Maybe darts is a little too popular, a little too Northern and a little too working class for a toffee nosed Southern establishment. But Phil Taylor would be towards the top of my list. And what about the genius that is Tony McCoy? He has dominated his sport in an incredible way for over a decade but still no proper recognition from the Beeb.

Sports Personality of the Year seems geared to the few sports that the Beeb still has broadcasting rights too. Having said that, hopefully next year England’s World Cup stars will be winners by acclamation after a successful tournament in South Africa!

UPDATE - Ryan Giggs is a truly silly winner. As I said above, "Of course, Ryan Giggs will get plenty of votes from glory seekers in the Home Counties, but I’m far from convinced that he would be a worthy winner. "

My Appearance On The Politics Show - The Need To Take Action To Create Jobs

I was on the BBC Politics Show yesterday afternoon, talking about how the North Eastern economy can grow out of the recession. It was my TV debut and, all in all, an enjoyable experience. The i-player link is below. The interview starts on 39 minutes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pfscr/The_Politics_Show_North_East_and_Cumbria_13_12_2009/

What has struck me over the past few months is the level of complacency of the Labour Party in the North East. We have high and rising unemployment, which is 50% higher than the national average. On almost every metric, our region has fallen further behind other regions over the past twelve years. And we can all see the results of the recession in the High Streets across the North East.

This week, the Government could have used their pre budget report as a budget for job creation. Instead, they decided to play politics with people’ jobs. They increased National insurance – something that the CBI called a “tax on jobs” and the Federation of Small Businesses described as “devastating for employment in the UK.” Small businessmen I speak to in North Durham are extremely worried about the impact this is likely to have on jobs.

Instead of political gestures, we need real action to help create jobs. That means reversing the tax on jobs and getting credit flowing to business using a National Loan Guarantee Scheme. It means creating 200,000 new apprenticeships; 100,000 new Further Education places and more training places.

I have set out a vision elsewhere that the North East must be a trailblazing economy for new green industries. We can have a glorious future to match our glorious past. But the vision free and complacent Labour politicians in the North East need to leave the stage before that can happen.

Well Done To Joe. A Fantastic Win For The North East on the X Factor

As an annual Glastonbury goer, who loves artists like The Strokes, The Stones, Glasvegas, Iggy Pop, The Clash, Johnny Cash and Neil Young, the manufactured pop of the X Factor isn’t always to my taste. But I was shouting the house down for proud North Easterner, Joe, to win the final this evening.

He clearly has fantastic musical talent, as well as that fierce North Eastern pride and determination, which only people from our region can fully understand. His story is proof positive that when somebody from the North East goes for something, they can achieve anything.

In what has been another difficult year for all of us in the North East, it was great to see Joe give us something to cheer about this evening. North Eastern success always makes me proud to be a North Easterner and reminds us all that we are the greatest region on the planet. Well done to Joe for carrying the North Eastern flag tonight.

Making The North East The Powerhouse Of The Green Industrial Revolution

In the North East, we need a bold and ambitious vision for the future of our economy. We have the natural resources, we have the skills and, above all, we have the people to be a world leader in green industries and green technology. Sadly, at the moment, the complacent Labour MPs’ in our area are unable to provide vision or leadership to help our region become a world leader again.

I make the case, in this pamphlet published by the TRG, that, as a region we should be world leaders in green industry. You can read the pamphlet here:

The North East can, once again, be the region that other parts of the world look towards. Our potential as an area is limitless. But the time in which we have to take advantage of the opportunities and to be genuine trailblazers is limited.

Of course, local Labour politicians have shown no imagination and no vision at all about the future of our region. They have long grown, tired and out of touch – having taken us all for granted for much too long. That is why we urgently need to sweep them aside in favour of a new generation of North Easterners, like myself, who have a passion for our region and a real vision for the future of our economy.

Time To Say No To Public Money Funding Banker's Bonuses

I'm sick of hearing bankers demanding grotesque, sky-high bonuses only a year after bringing the global economy to its knees. This is particularly grotesque for those bankers demanding bonuses using our money - only a year after taxpayer intervention saved banks like RBS from the consequences of their own folly.


We spent £850 billion of public money bailing out the banks after bankers made catstrophic mistakes. The banks high risk, irresponsible business model combined with lack of Government regulation and Gordon Brown's mismanagement to trigger the recession that is still having devastating consequences across the North East.

While the rest of us are having to tighten our belts, it is frankly disgusting that bankers are intent on rewarding themselves with sky high bonuses and continuing their champagne lifestyle, irrespective of the damage that their poor decisions caused to the economy.

Bonuses for bankers at the moment would not amount to bonuses to reward good performance. They would amount to bonuses using public money out of a sense of entitlement. Surely the bankers demanding grotesque bonuses will discover a sense of humility. When we are suffering from mass unemployment, it is frankly wrong that public money is being spent to pay banker's bonuses.

Labour's Shameful Neglect Of Manufacturing Industry

Labour have betrayed their history and heritage in so many ways. They have betrayed the hopes of so many of those who placed so much faith in Tony Blair in 1997. But one of the biggest betrayals is New Labour's betrayal of British manufacturing industry. Figures released yesterday show that manufacturing as a share of the economy has collapsed from 20 per cent in 1997 to just under 13 per cent today. On top this comes today's devastating news that Corus are shedding 1,700 jobs on Teeside.

The fact is that Labour have ignored and betrayed manufacturaing industry. They were seduced by the City and the South East of England. This 'Labour' Government has been happy to let manufacturing decline at the same time as bankers ran amok - earning obscene bonuses and damaging the real economy.

In contrast, I believe that manufacturing MUST have a central role to play in our economy. We must become a country that makes things again. And the North East must lead this renaissance of British manufacturing. If elected as MP for North Durham, I will actively campaign for a vision of the North East that has a rejuvenated, competitive manufacturing sector at its very heart. I have had quite enough of New Labour's defeatism and neglect of our region and manufacturing industry as a whole.

Labour's Legacy of Educational Inequality

Labour have done nothing about educational inequalities. In many years they have grown worse in the past twelve years. A report by the Universities and Colleges Union, called 'Location, Location, Location' illustrates the stark educational inequalities that exist in New Labour's Britain.

According to the report, "where you live will determine your chances of educational success and people living in traditionally underachieving areas are proportionately less likely to have a degree now than they were at the last election."

This is yet another area in which North Durham has been badly let down by the Labour Party. Some 9.92% of the working age population have no qualifications. 22.8% of the population are educated to degree/ NVQ Level 4, compared to a national average of 57%.

Labour were elected with great promises of a better education for all and widening participation in Higher Education. These figures show that they have failed to deliver, with people from working class areas still not getting sufficient opportunity for education. That is why we must widen participation as much as possible, rather than having universities as finishing schools for the middle class. It is why we must concentrate our attention on improving state education in working class areas. Labour's legacy of educational inequality is simply not good enough.

As Labour's North Eastern Vote Melts Away - The Scene Is Set For A Tory Surge

A fascinating poll in this morning's Telegraph showed that the Conservatives are 6% ahead in marginal constituencies in the North of England - a huge swing since the last election that is well above the national average.

This new poll confirms what I am seeing in North Durham that voters are sick and tired of a complacent local Labour establishment. Local people are ready to turn to the Conservatives. Indeed, in many cases, this will be the first time they have voted Conservative.

Our canvass returns are excellent so far in North Durham. We have canvassed many thousand householdsand over 50% of people have told us that they will either certainly be voting Conservative or strongly consider it. They are all very angry at Labour's legacy of unemployment, anti-social behaviour and lack of vision. The people of North Durham are angry about being taken for granted by an out of touch Labour Party.

The people of the North East and North Durham have had enough of n arrogant Labour elite. The people of the North East are ready to give the Labour Party a bloody nose in 2010.

Consumers Are Right To Be Angry Over Unfair Banking Charges Verdict

Consumers are right to be angry at the decision of the Supreme Court to overturn previous court rulings that the OFT should investigate whether bank charges were unfair. This stinks of wealthy judges backing wealthy banks against the man in the street and the ordinary consumer.

It is quite clear to me that banks charging up to £40 for a customer exceeding their overdraft limit is not only unfair. It is outrageous. Don't forget that the OFT described the charges as "difficult to understand, not transparent, and not subject to effective consumer control".

There needs to be a competition review of banks - particularly now that so many of them are kept afloat using our money. This must cover banking charges. The banks must be ready to compensate people who have been unfairly charged. It is not acceptable that banks have treated their customers so badly, whether it be over mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance or these unfair banking charges.

Meeting The Rocket

I was thrilled to meet one of the real sporting greats at an event last night. Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan showed off his genius at the pool table, as well as being an absolute gent. An all too large part of my youth was spent in 'Supa Snooker' in Consett, never quite being able to understand how the guys who play the game on TV make it look quite so easy.

The Rocket is, without a shadow of doubt one of the greatest players ever to pick up a snooker cue. He probably has more natural talent than anybody (with the possible exceptions of Jimmy White and Alex Higgins) in the history of the game.

He was telling me how professional snooker players are spending a lot of time in China - where the sport is massive at the moment and growing all the time. Fingers crossed that the sport now goes from global strength to global strength.

Labour's Failure To Tackle Crime Hits The Poorest The Hardest

I spoke to the Durham Union on Friday in favour of the motion that "Britain is too soft on crime." The Shadow Justice Secretary, Dominic Grieve MP, was also speaking The Durham Union is a great venue and there were some really classy contributions from both sides of the debate.

My argument was quite simple - it is working class areas who suffer most from crime and it is working class areas that suffer most from this Government being soft on crime. I made the point that if you suggested in any council estste in the country that we were not being too soft on crime, you would be laughed out of town. If you live in the 20% most deprived areas of the country you are twice as likely to be a victim of violent crime than if you live in the 20% least deprived areas.

In the UK, there were 4 million instances of anti social behaviour last year alone, as well as over a million violent crimes. For 50,000 of these violent crimes, including around 800 GBH offences, the offenders were issued with nothing more than a caution - a ticking off.

At the same time, the Government has completely failed to do anything to improve education and rehabilitation in prisons. It has presided over a society where poverty has increased and inequality has widened. It has so burdened the Police in red tape that Police officers spend more time filling in forms than they do on the beat.

We need to do more to tackle crime and tackle the causes of crime. This Government has blatantly failed on both counts and has let down the poorest in society.

The Durham Union clearly agreed - they voted at the end of the debate that Britain was, indeed, too soft on crime.

Labour Are No Longer The Champions Of The Poor

Labour have comprehensively failed to help the most vulnerable. They have betrayed the great traditions of the Labour movement and presided over rising unemployment, declining social mobility, widening inequality and rising poverty. The Government has comprehensively let down those who placed most faith in it.

This Labour Party, which is a pale shadow of the moral crusade of the past, can no longer claim to be the party of the vulnerable in society. It is no surprise, then, to see a poll in The Guardian this morning, which shows that the Conservatives are now regarded as being the party "of the poor" by more voters than regard Labour as the same thing.

If elected as MP for North Durham, creating a fairer equal society will be one of my real priorities. I will be prepared, unlike lobby fodder Labour MPs, to act as a champion for the poor and the vulnerable.

Test Match Cricket Should Be On Free To Air TV

Test match cricket should be on free to air TV. I strongly believe this and I'm delighted that the DCMS sponsored independent commission has reached the same conclusion as me. For the long term health of the game, as opposed to the financial health of already bloated county clubs, test match cricket must be exposed to the widest audience possible.

This year's Ashes series (shown on pay per view TV) had an average audience several million smaller than the last home Ashes series (shown on free to air Channel 4). Whereas 2005 was a great nationally unifying series, 2009 was a great sporting event that suffered too much from being tucked away on a satellite subscription channel.

As I previously blogged, "the last series was watched on TV by over 10 million people and these ratings could be achieved because the Ashes were on free to air TV. A wide range of viewers made up these massive viewing figures. The casual viewer who wouldn’t normally watch sport, and certainly wouldn’t subscribe to a sports channel. The poor and elderly who may not be able to afford the subscription to satellite TV. The schoolkids who chanced upon the TV coverage and found new sporting heroes to emulate.

Since the TV rights were sold to Sky, TV audiences have gone from over 10 million to under 1 million. Terrestrial coverage brings with it accidental viewers in a way that satellite coverage can not. It means that cricket can become the background to many a family summers day. Removing cricket from terrestrial television is depriving the game of the all important oxygen of exposure. Surely the loss of a massive stream of potential interest can only be detrimental to the future of the game."

The ECB's decision to sacrifice the future of the game for the Sky dollar was short termist and wrong and I am pleased that the DCMS commission has intervened to stand up for the long term health of the sport. Why would the ECB willingly tuck cricket away on Sky knowing that more than half of the under 18 year olds in the country have no access to Sky?

The governing body complain about potential lost TV revenue. But that shows a real loss of imagination and long term vision. Any loss in TV revenue could be made up for with increased advertising revenue with advertisers knowing that their product will be exposed to a much larger, free to air audience. Exposure to millions more aspiring youngsters, dreming of being the next Flintoff, Pietersen or Broad is worth a return to free to air TV in itself.

The ECB should be responsible about their sale of TV rights. Their present attitude is hugely detrimental to the future health of the game.

Real Labour People Are Deserting The Labour Party

It has become clear to me, from talking to thousands of voters from across North Durham, that people who traditionally vote Labour have told me that they are sick and tired of the Labour Party and will be voting for a Progressive Conservative candidate in North Durham at the next election.

This week, three high profile Labour figures have also suggested that, to an extent they are tired of the Government and their failure to act to combat poverty and safeguard civil liberties.

First off was Tony Benn. I'm a massive fan of Tony Benn - I think 'Arguments for Democracy' and 'Arguments for Socialism' are first class texts. He has been one of the foremost figures warning about the deterioration in civil liberties over the past twelve years. He has consistently made the case that the anachronistic powers of the royal prerogative give the Executive way too much power against a weakened Parliament. His speech about the Maastricht Treaty, warning that "I cannot hand away powers lent to me" was a hugely powerful exposition of the democratic argument against a European superstate. I was, therefore, delighted to hear that in an interview with The Sunday times, he said that his "views on civil liberties and Europe were closer to the Conservatives than Labour." He said, "There are issues I find myself in agreement with some of the Tories on, particularly on civil liberties... As I grow older I have reached the conclusion that issues unite people, whereas ideologies divide them."

At the same time, Clare Short, the former Cabinet Minister under Tony Blair has said that, "the Conservatives have committed to keeping up the budget and keeping up the commitment on poverty and keeping a separate department, so I am pleased about that.”

Former Welfare Minister under Tony Blair, Frank Field has said that David Cameron's speech on poverty, "declares war on Labour's reason for existence... it is a wonderfully bold beginning."

In all these cases, Labour figures are realising that a Conservative Government is more likely to acheive progressive ends than a tired Labour Government. Their shift is being replicated throughout North Durahm and the North East by people who have voted Labour all of their lives who are set to vote Conservative at the next election.

We Must Do More To Tackle Unemployment

Figures released today show that unemployment nationally now stands at 2.46 million. In North Durham, some 2,504 people are claiming Job Seekers allowance, compared to 1,286 in January last year. That is a shocking increase of 94%. That is 1,218 more families being affected by the davastation of unemployment.

Unemployment is the worst of all economic problems because of the impact it has on individuals, families and communities, as well as the impact it has on our economic productivity as a region and a nation. That is why I believe the Government could and should be doing more to tackle unemployment.

I am calling for a comprehensive programme to tackle unemployment. This means the creation of 200,000 new apprenticeships and training places over 2 years. It means creating a proper National Loan Guarantee Scheme to get credit moving again, as well as helping businesses to create new jobs. It means the provision of high quality careers advice and guidance to help people find work as quickly as possible.

We must marshall all the resources at our disposal to tackle unemployment. It will be my priority if elected as MP for North Durham.

Labour's Shameful Betrayal Of Young Britons

The impact of Gordon Brown's recession has been devastating on young people. We just have to note a few of the key areas in which this Government have betrayed young people during the recession:

• We have the highest youth unemployment rate in Europe.
• We now have a record number of 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training.
• The number of unemployed graduates is nudging 100,000.
• The number of apprenticeships has fallen by more than a third in one year.
• Over 150,000 university applicants didn't get a university place and, because of Government reforms, over 175,000 students still hadn't received student finance by mid October.
• The Government has placed caps on training funding, royally messed up the Further Education budget and forced many colleges to cut back on their course offerings.

Just when you thought that this Government could not worsen their betrayal of young people this morning, it has emerged this morning that they are secretly planning cuts in training of extreme severity. They are suggesting cutting £350 million off the training budget, affecting unemployed young people and also young people. Most of the advocated cuts actually affect front line services. It is shameful that the Government are considering such a move.

What we need is an expansion in training opportunities, so that this recession does not create a lost generation of young people. We need 100,000 new work based apprenticeships and training places. We need the creation of more Further Education places, to bolster the excellent work that FE already does. We need the creation of more university places to ensure that we can compete in a skills based global economy.

We must be investing in our future rather than, as Labour are doing, taken a scalpel to our potential.

Welcoming The Launch Of County Durham Monopoly

Great to see that a County Durham version of Monopoly has been launched. Such North Durham landmarks as the Riverside Ground and Chester-le-Street railway station are captured in the board game, as well as other landmarks from across our breathtaking county.

Hard to disagree with the Dean of Durham, who suggested that "it’s great to welcome the new County Durham version.”

You can get the County Durham version of the game here.

Time To Tackle The Problem Of Violent Crime

In the past few weeks, there have been violent robberies in both Stanley, where a man with a knife threatened a member of staff at a cheque centre, and Ouston, when a man with a handgun attempted to rob the local Post Office. With such frightening local incidents, the people of North Durham need no reminding that there has been a surge in violent crime in recent years.

SInce Labour came to power, violent crime has risen by 70 per cent in the UK. The latest British Crime Survey showed that there were over a million violent crimes committed on strangers in 2008/09. At the same time, burglary has gone up by 3 per cent in one year and personal theft has increased by 5 per cent. These are truly shocking statistics. And one of the really shocking things is that so little is being done about it. Indeed, a recent report showed that a number of violent crimes are being routinely ignored by the Police.

That is why we need to get more Police Officers on to the streets and give them real powers to deal with violent crime. If there is one consistent theme from the people of North DUrham when I speak to them on the doorstep, it is that they want more Police on the streets to tackle crime and make them feel safer.

We Must Create More Apprenticeships

Our economy urgently needs the creation of more real apprenticeships. And by real apprenticeship, I don't mean (as this Government does) just renaming an existing College course an apprenticeship. What I mean is genuine, work-based training, with an apprentice spending most of their time in the workplace -developing experience in a day to day working environment. This is the kind of apprenticeship that was so effective for most of the post war years and gets a lot of support on the doorstep.

Using the Government's own figures, the number of apprentices have fallen by more than a third in one year. That is simply not good enough. Particularly when we need a highly skilled workforce to ensure that we can compete in a skills based global economy. It is absolutely not good enough when we have a record number of young people not in employment, education or training.

That is why I am calling for the creation of 100,000 new work-based apprenticeships and training places to help young people. We also need to make it much easier for businesses to run apprenticeship schemes. Having a highly skilled workforce is central to the future economic prosperity of our area.

Support Floods In For Durham As 'City Of Culture'

I'm delighted to see that Durham's bid to be the UK's City of Culture is attracting so much support. Over 10,000 people have backed the bid so far. If you haven't already done so, I would encourage you to visit www.durhamcityofculture.co.uk

I blogged when the bid was first announced that I'm a massive supporter of the bid. As I said in July, Durham is one of the most culturally exciting places in the country, with art, theatre, poetry, comedy and photography all flourishing in our area.

Only this year, our area has played host to some outstanding cultural events and festivals. And there are even more to come next year. Our area's cultural vibrancy and stunning backdrop mean that we are perfectly placed to become the city of culture. Let's keep up the momentum and make sure that our area gets the recognition it deserves.

Celebrating Our Region's Beers... And Standing Up For The Local Pub

After a good morning’s canvassing around Chester-le-Street, we headed for the welcoming environs of the Chester-le-Street Beer Festival in the Cricket Club, as the heavens began to open outside. It was a brilliantly organised event and an excellent showcase for beer brewed in North Durham (Beamish) and around the region (Consett and Wylam to name but two of the breweries represented. Hats off to the organisers – the room was packed with a wide variety of people (including somebody who seemed genuinely surprised that I had read and appreciated ‘In Place Of Fear’ by Nye Bevan). All in all, a great success and one that will hopefully be repeated next year.

However, there was a more serious sub-text to the occasion that needs to be addressed. Firstly, there was the shadow that one of the region’s most famous drinks is under threat of having its beer production moved from our region. I have said before, and I will say again, for the sake of jobs, the heritage of the drink, and the future credibility and success of the ‘dog’, Newcastle Brown Ale MUST continue to be brewed in the North East, where it belongs.

The second shadow hanging over the event was the continuing difficulties being faced by pubs in our area and nationwide. 40 pubs are closing every week, including all too many in the North Durham area, with hugely damaging consequences for the communities that they serve. Around a third of every pint we buy now goes to the Government in tax and the ‘beer tie’ continues to bind the hands of pubs and landlords around the area. The Government has repeatedly raised beer tax, punishing hard working people who enjoy a pint, and, only last Friday, turned down the idea even of an independent inquiry into the beer tie.

Sadly, the Government is driven by a stern faced Puritanism, which is damaging pubs and Working Men’s Clubs throughout the area. We need to fight to safeguard the future of our region’s brewing tradition, local pubs and Working Man’s Club movement. It is quite clear that Labour are not going to stand up for the working man who liked the odd tipple after work. I most certainly will be standing up for local pubs, local brewing, local Working Men’s Clubs and the continuance of Newcastle Brown Ale in the North East.