Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
When we talk about transport there are two questions. First, what transport system do we want? And second, how are we going to pay for it? It’s the second one that causes all the problems. Transport is a fundamental part of everything we do. It’s a mistake to let the market dictate its direction. It … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
From B&Bs in Berwick to micro pubs in Newcastle, small businesses across our region are opening up. They’ve had a hell of a year. No trading for six months has taken its toll on hospitality and cultural businesses. The self-employed have been hit hardest, with only a fraction of the support of other companies. Over … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
Town planning is as old as cities. The Romans did it. In fact, the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley had a planned water and sanitation system 2,600 years before Hadrian’s Wall was built. As Britain moved out of the medieval era, towns grew. People lived closer together, and governments needed to minimise … Read More
MASCHOMWatch, Israel
HEXHAM LABOUR FRIENDS OF PALESTINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEWCASTLE LABOUR FRIENDS OF PALESTINE, AND NEWCASTLE PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN INVITE YOU TO AN EVENT featuring a short film ‘The Present’: an interview with the Director of the award-winning film. and a talk by MachsomWatch, ISRAEL with our guest speaker: Ronny Perlman. INTRODUCED BY ANN SCHOFIELD, NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCILLOR … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
Most political leaders get to choose their cabinets – local authority leaders, Scottish or Welsh first minister, the Prime Minister. Combined Authority Mayors are the exception. Our cabinets comprise the leaders and deputies from each constituent council. I’m looking forward to welcoming the new North of Tyne Cabinet Members, regardless of party. Despite the narrative … Read More
Local Elections 2021: winning Hexham Constituency candidates
We now have two Labour Councillors in Hexham Constituency, with gains from the Conservatives in Bywell and Prudhoe North Wards. Angie Scott beat Prudhoe Mayor Tracy Gilmore to the Prudhoe North Seat by 67 votes. Angie has worked hard in the community for years as a Town Councillor and is involved in multiple projects in … Read More
Hexham Labour Friends of Palestine: Upcoming events
1830hrs (GMT), 17 May 2021, MachsomWatch, ISRAEL feat. Ronny Perlman Zoom link here Download flyer here We are very pleased to invite you to our next online event, featuring the Israeli women who form the collective, MachsomWatch, Israel. MACHSOM WATCH, ISRAEL began in 2001 when three Jewish women first saw a military checkpoint in the West … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
There’s something rotten in the state of Britain. In 1963, Cabinet Minister John Profumo resigned after lying about an extra-marital affair with Christine Keeler. That was sleaze. I agree with former Tory Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, who said about Coalition minister Chris Huhne’s affair, “What goes on in people’s private lives is a subject … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
Stewart Lee was once given some advice on how to earn a living in the transient world of stand-up comedy. “You get 5000 people to like you, and they all give you £10 a year. That’s a living. ”It’s a risk, pursuing your passion. And it’s not an easy option, as any established musician or … Read More
Prudhoe candidates campaigning for Kim
Kim McGuiness, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner candidate, Angie Scott, Northumberland County Council candidate for Prudhoe North, Jonathan Wheeler, Northumberland County Council candidate for Prudhoe South, and a Prudhoe branch member, canvassing for Kim McGuiness in Prudhoe last Sunday morning (18 April), in the sunshine. Vote Labour on 6 May (Promoted by Grant Davey on behalf of … Read More
Humshaugh Candidate – Milo Barnett
Why I am standing for Humshaugh … Hello, I’m Milo Barnett and I am running for Labour in Humshaugh because I believe that only Labour can deliver the investment Humshaugh, as well as the whole of Northumberland, needs. I grew up in this village which made me the person I am today and I understand … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
The notion of a job for life is fast receding. Not so long ago, a job at “The Ministry” in Longbenton, or maybe with the local council, meant financial security. Not in any sense of luxury, but the stability to raise a family, followed by a decent pension after you’d put in your decades of … Read More
Ponteland & Heddon Candidate – Michael Clarke
Why I am standing for Ponteland & Heddon … I have lived in Ponteland for 30 years. I worked as a doctor at the RVI before retiring last year. The events of the last 12 months have brought home the need for change both locally and nationally. Post pandemic in Northumberland, we need to create … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
I just about remember the TV show ‘When the Boat Comes In’. It was set in the fictional town of Gallowshields in the North East. If you’ve seen it even once, you’ll remember the theme tune, “Thou shalt have a fishy, on a little dishy, thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.” … Read More
Haltwhistle Candidate – John Temple
Why I am standing for Haltwhistle … I was born and brought up in the North East, and for the last 16 years West Northumberland has been my home. I am now retired, having latterly worked locally in the social housing sector. I have previously served as a councillor on Tyneside. During this time, I … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
The death of Nigel Todd I have a packet of Northumberland Wildflower Seeds given to me by Nigel Todd. The mix contains flowers that will thrive in harmony with our local ecosystem. It speaks to his ecological sensitivity and profound sense of place. High on the wall of Newcastle’s Stowell Street is a stone carving … Read More
Prudhoe North Candidate – Angie Scott
“Our high street is the heart of the community” says Angie Scott, Labour Candidate for Prudhoe North It’s been a tough year for Prudhoe Front Street but the traders have tried their hardest to weather the storm and support our community. They have provided an invaluable service to many of us during lockdown, and have … Read More
Prudhoe South candidate – Jonathan Wheeler
Why I am standing for Prudhoe South … “I am proud to be doing my bit to fight the spread of the virus” says Jonathan Wheeler, Labour Candidate for Prudhoe South Jonathan is certainly doing his bit to fight Covid-19 by volunteering to administer the vaccine. He has completed specialist training and is ready to … Read More
Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria candidate, Kim McGuinness
Kim’s campaign launch on Saturday, 20 March 2021 Since you elected me as Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria in 2019, I have worked tirelessly alongside our MPs, councillors and local residents, to ensure that Northumbria Police continues to fight crime and prevent crime, on behalf of local residents. I’m standing for re-election on Thursday … Read More
Corbridge candidate – Annette McGlade
Why I am standing for Corbridge … I am so proud to stand for Corbridge in the forthcoming County Council Elections. It will be a privilege to give something back to this town and surrounding parish, where I was raised, learnt to read, write, play, fish, swim and worship. As my younger self, it was … Read More
Bellingham candidate – Anne Palmer
Why I am standing for Bellingham … I have lived in Kirkwhelpington, in the Bellingham Ward, for twenty six years. I have two children who grew up here and went to local schools. I am a retired solicitor, having worked for Newcastle City Council for nearly twenty years, and for CQC (Care Quality Commission, formerly … Read More
Hexham East candidate – Guy Hinton
Why I am standing for Hexham East … Both the past and future have inspired me to stand for Hexham East ward. I’m a historian and have spent (too) much of the last four years looking at the civic culture of the North East in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The extraordinary dynamism of councils, … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
In 1929 the Roaring Twenties plummeted to earth with the Wall Street Crash. Its global aftermath caused mass unemployment and eventually a collapse of democracy across Europe, the rise of the Nazis, and genocide. The response to the Wall Street crash in both the US and Britain was to cut public spending. Austerity didn’t work … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
As a political insider, not much in politics shocks me. But I was astounded to hear the Chancellor say, the “Budget is not the time to set detailed fiscal rules, with precise targets and dates to achieve them by.” WTF? That’s exactly what a budget’s for. My first priority is to deliver for the people … Read More
Hexham Labour Friends of Palestine: Upcoming events
WE ARE NOT NUMBERS We are very pleased to invite you to our next online event, featuring two young women speaking on the uneven roll out of COVID-19 vaccine among Israel, Gaza and the Occupaied Palestinian Territories. Should be really fascinating to hear about the contrast in the daily lived experiences of Salma in Haifa, … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular updates
BUILD BACK FAIRER Sunday February 28, 2021 “Build Back Better” has become the mantra. Good as far as it goes, but unless we build back fairer we’re back to the status quo. High levels of economic inequality and deprivation are damaging to health and wellbeing. The core objective must be providing good jobs. Ken Loach’s … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update – video
The climate emergency.
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
“Shall we meet online or in real life?” This increasingly common question speaks volumes. No matter how good your internet connection or webcam is, it’s still not the same. Maybe The Matrix has raised our expectations. Workers in the cultural sector have again shown their creativity and resilience. Online shows, workshops, musical performances from bedrooms. … Read More
Keir Starmer was mistaken yesterday
The North of Tyne was given the target of creating 10,000 jobs over 30 years, and commensurate funding. So 21 months into my term, I should be on target to create 583 jobs. In fact, we’re on target to create 3,194 jobs. With another 2,114 jobs safeguarded through the pandemic. So in less than two … Read More
Labour History: women’s organisations
Part 3: Women’s organisations
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
Did you know the 2nd February is Groundhog Day? At this very moment houses are being built which will need to be retrofitted. Retrofitting means installing something later which would have been easier and cheaper to include it when it was built. This will cost about £20,000 per house. Who will pay? Probably the homeowner. … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
Is 24-hour rolling news really unprecedented? Do you remember when you were a kid, and you’d ask your Mam or Dad for something, and they’d say, “We’ll see” – which is parent speak for “No chance.” Or they’d say “We’ll see what Santa brings” which is code for “Hopefully you’ll have forgotten by then”. As … Read More
Palestinian Ambassador and Louise Haigh, MP video
Dr Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom speaking with Louise Haigh, MP, Labour Friends of Palestine (& Middle East) Vice-Chair, and the current Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland.
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
January, it’s said, is named after the Roman god Janus. He’s depicted having two faces, one looking into the past and the other the future. He’s the overseer of transition and change. Then the first lockdown in March happened, and none of us knew what that would mean for the region’s economy. Or the country’s. … Read More
The ‘What Budget?’ campaign
Northumberland County Council Tory leadership recently launched a consultation on a new budget. They say they are looking to make ‘around £8m in savings’, and that they’re having to make the cuts ‘because of COVID’. Is that the extent of the cuts they want to make? No. Read on. And anyway: didn’t government ministers say … Read More
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
Real wellbeing requires abundant green and blue spaces The places where we live and the stresses we face constantly change, but the importance of our friendships remain. Living in safe, attractive communities is essential for our wellbeing. Connection to others defines our sense of belonging, our place in the world. It’s not surprising that research … Read More
Bywell Candidate – Holly Waddell
Why I am standing for Bywell Vote Labour on 6 May
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
21 December 2020 2020 has definitely been a challenge and made us all see life in a new way. There’s nothing like a global pandemic to make us realise that simply spending time with our family is the most important thing. I know many people will find it tough not seeing their families this Christmas. … Read More
Jordan Valley video (under construction)
Click here to view video The Jordan Valley is under constant and expanding annexation. This talk features Palestinian journalist Ahmad Al-Bazz and Rashid Khudairat, of Jordan Valley Solidarity
Palestinian Child Detention Part 2 video
This is part 2 of a 2-part event on the Israeli military’s detention of Palestinian children prisoners, featuring SAWSAN BASTAWY, of Defense for Children International and SAHAR FRANCIS, of Adameer Click here to view our YouTube channel video
Palestinian Child Detention Part 1 video
Click here to view our YouTube channel video This is the first part of a two-part event by GERARD HORTON and SALWA DUAIBIS of Military Court Watch speaking on children in the israeli military court system and IYAD BURNAT leader of Bil’in Resistance Movement speaking from personal experience of children under arrest
The government’s attack on the Union Learning Fund is purely political
As a former trade union education officer, I saw the real difference this fund makes by Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP, Nottingham South “We must invest in skills, we must invest in further education”. This was the prime minister’s message to the country when he launched the Lifetime Skills Guarantee on September 29. Yet less than … Read More
Palestine demolitions video
A Hexham Labour Friends of Palestine event featuring BETH REILLY, of the International Solidarity Movement and CODY O’ROURKE, of Good Shepard Collective
Palestinian rights to water video
Hexham Labour Friends of Palestine’s online event: Palestine’s right to water featuring ZAYNEB AL-SHALALFEH, on the impact water-deprivation upon the Palestinian people and CLEMENS MESSERSCHMID, on the de-facto annexation of water under the occupation.
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor’s regular update
It’s said that the distance between the Government and Opposition benches in the House of Commons is two swords lengths, to stop them stabbing each other. If you watch some of the debates, it’s probably just as well. Prime Minister’s Question time is meant to be the opportunity for MPs to question the Prime Minister, … Read More