Now Even Barnett Says The Barnett Formula Should Be Reformed

The Barnett Formula is thoroughly unfair on the North East and needs to be reformed. It is yet another example of how the North East has been let down by this Government. We know that the North East receives £8,156 per head and has a lower GDP per capita than Scotland, which receives £9,032 per head from the formula.

The North East has not had a fair deal from the Barnett Formula and neither former North Eastern MP, Tony Blair, or Gordon Brown have lifted a finger to help the hard working of the North East who placed so much faith in their Government.

And now even Barnett himself has come out against his own Barnett Formula. Lord Barnett has said that reform was "vital" for the future of the country. He has told a Select Committee that we must "do something about it soon."

He is, of course, right. We should have a needs based formula that is fair on the North East. People in the North East have had quite enough of being taken for granted and are ready to elect proud North Easterners, such as myself, who will stand up for our region.