It Is About Time That we Had North Eastern MPs Who Are Prepared To Stand Up For The North East

The Government kicked the North East in the guts twice in a day on Monday.

Firstly, Lord Adonis, the Transport Minister said that campaigners against the hike in Air Passenger Duty, which will disproportionately affect the North East, had no right to complain.

Secondly, a group of transport experts have made a first class case for a high speed rail link to include the North East. As I have said before, our area's future economic competitiveness depends on it. And where were the region's MPs as the case for jobs and business in the area was being made? Nowhere. It seems that the Government has already made the decision to ignore the North East yet again.

It is about time that we had a Government who didn't treat our region in this way. It is about time that we had MPs prepared to stand up for the North East. If elected as MP for North Durham, I will ensure that I am a proud North Eastern voice making the case for our area in Westminster.