Journal Live - Blog Central

Exodus

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:42:44 +0000

John Harrison, North Tyneside mayor, gone.
Andrew Kerr, NT's chief executive, gone
Martin Swales, NT's strategic director for development, gone?

What is happening on the North Bank of the Tyne?

The dream team?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:45:59 +0000

So, as predicted, Denis Murphy adds his name to the long list of MPs saying goodbye to the region.
All eyes now turn to Tyneside, and speculation of an incredible comeback.

Yes, rumour reaches this regional affairs correspondent that former mayor John Harrison may be looking to see if any seats are going spare.

Asking the questions no one else will...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:00:31 +0000

"There are hard facts and harder facts. I want to talk about the hard facts".

Thanks to Stockton MP Dari Taylor for that. Straight out of the Donald Rumsfeld guide to politics.

Europe to split up North East

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:21:26 +0000

You read it here first. And then no doubt forgot it. Those damned Europeans/jolly-good Europeans (delete as appropriate) are looking at what to do when our current round of regional European aid runs out.
That £250m will create a lot of jobs between now and 2013, surely the European Commission wouldn't want to scrap that? But how to balance investment versus spiraling cost?

Well, after lots of discussion, it looks like what happens next will be either nothing or a half.

Naming rights

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:26:12 +0000

It's a vital feature of the region's economy, but what should it be called next? Yes, the question everyone wants answered; what should we call One North East when it ceases to be One North East?

A rose by any other name

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:07:48 +0000

Dear European Commission.
Yeah, thanks for the money and all that. We're grateful.
Just a little point on the names issue.

Maybe it's something that got lost in translation, but did no one tell you we might have wanted to avoid setting up a new business called "the bad bank"?

Still, thanks anyway,

Gary Hoffman,
Northern Rock chief executive

Lord megabucks

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:14:10 +0000

JUST how much money does Lord Mandelson have?

I only ask having watched his interview on the Politics Show in which he discussed Government support for Corus workers in Teesside.

As he says, "I myself have put in millions of pounds to that company to support training".
Sadly he ruled out using the Government's money to subsidise the workforce there. And even sadder still, a simple, verging on rude, "no" when asked if he would ever return to the region as an MP.

Dum dum dum-dum dumm de dum...

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:05:21 +0000

Since the above is quite obviously Ode To Joy it must be time for another Regional Affairs trip to Brussels.
As the Tories gather in Manchester to plan how best to dismantle our regional infrastructure, European leaders are meeting to plan the next wave of investment.

Assurément, ce n'est pas d'accord?

The charm offensive

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:15:18 +0000

Northern Night then, time to let the hair down and roll out the parmos.
As is traditional there was a money raising auction, this time led by Blaydon MP Dave Anderson.
And a guest appearance by the Miliband Campaign Trail.

Dropping like flies

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:15:59 +0000

It seems it's all change for Labour in the North East. We've already heard from longstanding MPs such as Jim Cousins and Doug Henderson who say they've had enough, thanks for the memories, so long, etc etc.
But could at least three more follow?

Everyone's a critic

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:41:39 +0000

Ey, is that the council?... Aye I'll tell you what it is, it's about that bloody Angel...
Yeah, well, it doesn't do out does it....

First they took our culture...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:11:14 +0000

Will no one rid us of these turbulent scousers?
Not satisfied with destroying Newcastle's bid for culture glory, they are now about to steal our low-carbon future as well.

A Grand idea

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:25:06 +0000

There is a ticket on my desk which I'm considering framing, such is my constant delight at the memories it brings back.

In order to bring a little balance to the train ticket bad news which often greets us, and to give an example of why this is all too familiar, I present the following in praise of Grand Central.

Strap hangers

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:23:05 +0000

The metro home yesterday brought me much closer to Sunderland fans than a smoggy normally wants to be.
Packed carriages reminded me that of the many problems with the North East's transport infrastructure, not all of them are entirely the fault of the Government.
Some are down to passengers.

Newcastle Council - a horror story

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:26:16 +0000

This striking image is Pennywise the clown. Made famous by Stephen King in his novel IT and the film of the same name.

And now the corridors of Newcastle Council.