Canvassing in Wylam

Sunday: out canvassing in Wylam with my Labour colleagues. Obviously, we aim to target areas where we think we are most likely to receive support, but even then, the response on the doorsteps has been heartening. One of Labour's key questions is "What do the Tories stand for?" and the question is one which voters are now also starting to ask as the general election draws close. It's not good enough for Cameron's lot to say they're not Brown's lot - they need to explain what they stand for and what they will do in government, and so far they've got precious little to say other than (1) they will cut spending before the recovery has fully taken root [a very bad idea] (2) they will repeal the ban on fox-hunting [a reflection of rather odd legislative priorities].

The Politics Show: North East edition

Sunday: I made a brief appearance on the North East edition of the Politics Show, where I was quoted on the issue of whether an MP/aspiring MP's education background matters (in my view, it doesn't). Here's a link (you have to start about 30 minutes in): http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qxzxj/The_Politics_Show_North_East_and_Cumbria_14_02_2010/

Canvassing in West Hexham

Sunday: out speaking to voters in West Hexham. Came across a few people who were considering supporting the Independent candidate, but thankfully managed to persuade them (or most of them at least) that the best way of registering a protest vote in Hexham is to vote for the candidate best placed to upset the incumbent - which means voting Labour here.

Ovingham Middle School "Go Green" Fair

Wednesday: this evening I headed over to Ovingham to attend Ovingham Middle School's Go Green Fair, which I really enjoyed. Also in attendance were the Lib Dem and Independent candidates for Hexham, and we had a brief chat about how our respective campaigns are going.

It's Sunday, so we must be in Haltwhistle

Sunday: a busy day in the constituency. Morning spent house-hunting in Stocksfield with a relative. Then off to Prudhoe for Sunday lunch with the family. Afternoon spent speaking to Haltwhistle residents. Thankfully the reception we received was not as damp as the weather.

Dr. John Sentamu at Newcastle Civic Centre

Wednesday: I attended a packed Newcastle Civic Centre to hear Dr. John Sentamu, the hugely popular Archbishop of York, speak on the subject of tolerance. Like many visiting speakers before him, he knew how to tickle a Newcastle audience's tummy by starting with a "Howay the lads!". The speech was wide-ranging and heartfelt and went down well with the audience. He ended by quoting the poignant words of Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen:

"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in"