Hustings at Highfield Middle School, Prudhoe

Friday afternoon: the Tory, LibDem candidates and I spoke at a hustings for 11-13 years old at Highfield Middle School, Prudhoe. The questions were extremely sharp for such a young audience, and I think all the candidates had a good time talking to the youngsters, with their teachers watching and listening thoughfully at the back. I'd like to thank Deanne Smith for organising this event.

The Third Man, Hexham Forum Cinema, April 29th @ 7.30pm

Just a quick plug for "The Third Man", my film choice at the Hexham Forum. Come along and hear why I chose this bona fide classic.

Court of Appeal: Part II

A few blog entries ago, I mentioned that I recently argued my first case before the Court of Appeal in my day job as a barrister. Unfortunately I lost the appeal (an occupational hazard), but the Court of Appeal were kind enough to say that I had impressed them "... with the excellence of [my] advocacy." So if you're wondering whether I would make a good advocate in Parliament for local residents, don't just take my word for it, take that of the Court of Appeal!

Hustings at St. Mary Magdale Church, Prudhoe

Tuesday evening: a well-attended church hustings in Prudhoe, with more than a few local residents standing at the back. The questions covered all the issues voters in the constituency are talking about - our views on nuclear power (I'm for as part of a balanced, mixed energy supply policy), the role of the third sector, churches, charities and other voluntary organisations (I'm for an increased role, but see them as working best alongside the state, not as a substitute), and proportional representation (I'm for the Alternative Vote system and against PR, but accept my views may have to change depending on next Thursday's election results). Thanks to the Rev. Charles Hope for organising this event.

Labour CAN win here, and hopefully will

I see that the LibDems in their election literature are up to the same tricks in Hexham as they are in every other constituency in the UK - choosing a convenient set of electoral results to claim that only they can challenge the incumbent MP, be they Tory or Labour.

The facts are simple: in the general elections of 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2005, the Conservative candidate in Hexham came first, the Labour candidate came second, and the LibDem candidate came third. Since the LibDem candidate in Hexham this time around was the third-placed candidate in 2005, you'd think he might know this!

To avoid the inevitable conclusion that Labour are the main challengers here, the Liberals point to the most recent set of local election results where Labour candidates admittedly did poorly. But there's two essential points to bear in mind.

First, people split their votes between local elections and general elections, and realise that the choice at this election is between a Conservative or a Labour government, not a Conservative or a Liberal government.

Second, many of the votes which Labour lost at the last set of local elections went to Independent candidates, many of whom were former Labour councillors who lost out when Tynedale Council was merged into the unitary authority and all-women shortlists were imposed.

At the debate at Haydon Bridge High School, the LibDem candidate described Hexham as a "three-way marginal". If that's correct, that means any of the three major parties can win here, including Labour. Since the LibDem candidate's a nice enough local guy doing no more than typical LibDem 'spin', I forgive him.

Now for the tricky part - making sure Labour actually does win here ...

North East will top the list of Tory cuts

It's not just the Labour Party saying the Tories will specifically target the North East for cuts - now even the Tories are saying it! In an interview last Friday with Jeremy Paxman, David Cameron confirmed that in his view, the public sector in the North East is too big. Realising his gaffe, Tory spin-meisters were quickly at work to suggest that this meant growing the private sector here, not shrinking the public sector. The problem with that interpretation of his remarks is, however, that while the Government controls the public sector, no-one controls the private sector, hence the only way the Tories can seek to 're-balance' the North East's economy is by targeting the public sector for job cuts.

Hexham, Prudhoe, Newburn

Virtually every waking hour today was spent campaigning in one form or another. We started off in Hexham, though the drizzle literally rained on our parade, swiftly substituted by phone canvassing, followed by door-knocking in Prudhoe, finished off by helping our excellent candidate in Newcastle North, Catherine McKinnell, by delivering direct mail in Newburn. The picture above was taken at a spot roughly marking the end of Newcastle's outer suburbs looking west into the Hexham constituency. In Prudhoe, I bumped into someone on the doors who has worked with my aunt, a nurse at the RVI, for the last 13 years - small world!

St. George's Day, Hexham

I took a break from campaigning to join my wife and kids at the St. George's Day festival in Hexham. The bouncy castle was popular with the young 'uns, and I was particularly taken by the alpacas - amazing animals.

Haltwhistle and Haydon Lea Gate

Today's door-knocking covered Haltwhistle and Haydon Lea Gate (oops! - I meant Halton Lea Gate), where my local roots as an Alston-born lad (only a few miles up the road) appear popular. I've kept the cock-up in the title in the interests of honesty, I blogged this posting late Friday night when I was completely shattered.

Hexham Abbey hustings

Today's main event was the hustings at Hexham Abbey, preceded by a beautiful service which put me in just the right frame of mind to address a mixed audience including many churchgoers.

One of the questions concerned rural deprivation and poverty, which allowed me to remind the audience that the single most effective measure in recent years to reduce rural poverty was the National Minimum Wage -- which the Conservatives of course voted against -- and that Labour propose to undo the damage the Tories caused to pensioners' incomes by breaking the link between earnings and pensions by restoring that link from 2012.

One question concerned promotion of Fair Trade products, which resulted in the interesting admission from the LibDem candidate that his wife does all the shopping. Our household is a bit more egalitarian that that, as I do all (ok, nearly all) of the shopping! Fair Trade tea, coffee and chocolate are the order of the day.

One question concerned how to pay down the national debt, and I didn't have time to make the point that we have been paying down the national debt incurred by our forefathers for literally hundreds of years now without any problem. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with incurring debt on either an individual or national level provided it is incurred for a good purpose (eg, keeping the economy afloat) and there is a reasonable repayment plan, which Labour has with its plan to halve the budget deficit in the course of the next 4 years.

On Afghanistan, there was broad agreement among all speakers that although we would like to see British troops back home as soon as possible, the work in Afghanistan needs to be seen through. Far worse to pull out prematurely only for another atrocity planned there to occur in the West, requiring us to go back in a second time.

On marriage, the Tory candidate spoke in support of the Conservatives' plan for financial support for married couples (£3 a week - whoopee!), even when the couple concerned don't have children, while the LibDem and Independent candidates and I stressed the importance of the state not interfering in people's private lives. I wonder whether anyone else in the audience noticed the irony of an unmarried man praising the institution of marriage, while three married men gave it more qualified support - the benefit of experience over hope, perhaps?

Fox hunting? Keep the ban

I've been asked a few times - less regularly than I expected - whether I would vote to keep the ban on fox-hunting. If elected, I will vote to keep the ban, and am glad to see Brian May (Queen guitarist) feels the same way about this issue.

Byrness, Elsdon, Barrasford, West Woodburn, Wall

I'm pleased to say our hardy team of deliverers delivered our "Your Life, Your News" newsletter to residents living in Byrness, Elsdon, Barrasford, West Woodburn and Wall on Monday - thanks Philip and David.

Immigration

This morning I did a 10-minute interview on Radio Newcastle on the topic of Immigration, where I plugged Labour's Australian-style points system for determining who gets to work here from non-EU countries, the Conservatives plugged the national quota system they are proposing, and the LibDems looked a bit uncomfortable when their policy of an amnesty for illegal immigrants was raised. With the LibDems now up in the polls, I suspect there will be a lot more scrutiny of this policy, which I can assure you most voters haven't heard of and definitely wouldn't approve of (no matter what name you give it).

I oppose an amnesty for four basic reasons: (1) it rewards those who broke the law: (2) it punishes those who have obeyed the law by staying outside the UK while they go through the proper channels to come here to work legally (3) it sends the wrong message to those outside our borders - if you get here illegally, and work here illegally long enough, you'll be ok (4) it doesn't work - Spain has had 6 amnesties for illegal immigrants since 1985/86, and in that time the number of people applying for amnesty (ie, illegal immigrants working unlawfully in Spain) has markedly increased over time - 44,000 in 1985/86, 127,000 in 2000, and 700,000 in 2005.

Labour actually has got a good story to tell on Immigration, not that you'd know it from reading the Daily Mail (quel surpris!). As well as the Australian-style points system and the 'earned residency and citizenship' programme, there's at least 6 important steps being taken to secure the UK's borders:

First, an ID card scheme for foreign nationals, with over 170,000 cards issued to date.

Second, an electronic border control, which by the end of 2010 should have 95% of people entering/leaving the UK on it.

Third, a new single border agency, with more staff (20,000 in 1997, 25,000 in 2010) and double the number of Immigration Officers at the border.

Fourth, the siting of border control staff overseas with the power to stop suspicious travellers before they travel to the UK.

Fifth, tougher requirements for student visas, including pre-entry English language requirements, reducing the hours non-EU students are allowed to work, and closing down bogus colleges in the UK.

Sixth, tougher action against employers who employ illegal immigrants - unlimited fines (3,800 imposed to date) and the threat of a jail sentence.

Moorlands, Prudhoe

Out and about in Prudhoe this evening talking to Moorlands residents. I enjoy the craic on the doorsteps, even when talking to Tory voters - people are glad you made the effort to talk to them. One lady invited me into her front porch only to tell me she was definitely not voting Labour this election. After thanking her for letting me know, I asked why she invited me in, and she pointed to 10 cats in the living room who might have tried to make a run for it while her front door was open!

Please get in touch if you want to speak to me ...

As you can imagine, things are pretty hectic right now. I'm endeavouring to have a minimum of 100 personal 'contacts' per day, ie, speaking to a local voter either in person or on the phone. If you're reading this blog and would like me to call you or stop by in person, please let me know - my contact details are on the right hand side of the blog.

Speaking on Immigration - Radio Newcastle, Wednesday 21 April @ 8.15am

I will be speaking about Immigration live on Radio Newcastle tomorrow, the broadcast starts at 8.15am. Also scheduled to speak are the Conservative PPC for Wansbeck and the LibDem PPC for Newcastle Central. Stay tuned!

Closure of Blackett Court, Wylam

Monday: Readers of last Friday's Hexham Courant will know that Anchor Housing has announced plans to close Blackett Court in Wylam within the next 12 months. Blackett Court provides residential housing for the elderly. On Monday evening, I attended a Wylam Parish Council meeting where residents of Blackett Court, and others living in the vicinity, expressed their strong opposition to the closure, and cast doubt on the genuineness of the reasons being given for closing it. Paul Kelly, now an Independent Councillor, said he would make enquiries with Milecastle Housing as to what is going on here, eg, has Milecastle been approached with a view to buying the building and taking over the landlord's responsibilities. I'm painfully aware that as a PPC (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate), not an MP, I have very little influence over these matters, but stated my support for their campaign and promised that if elected I will do my part to keep it open. After the meeting, some residents kindly showed me around the building and one of the flats, and to my untrained eye, there was nothing wrong with the building that needs substantial modernisation.

Hexham 1 Prudhoe 0

This morning's campaigning started off well, canvassing door-to-door in East Hexham. We had several offers to put up one of our posters (see below), though I'm concerned that in the enthusiasm to put them up immediately, the posters aren't being secured by anything other than their own weight!

We broke off at midday when I had Sunday lunch with my wife and kids at the Beaumont Hotel, next to Hexham Abbey. Life is, to say the least, interesting with small children: my eldest daughter now won't go into a bathroom unless she is persuaded that it is a 'ladies' bathroom, leading to 5-minute debates with a smart 3-year old as to the precise meaning of a symbol on a bathroom door!

Unfortunately the afternoon session planned in Prudhoe was a bit of a wash-out, as the rain started to come down just as we planned to be hitting our stride. After a brief review, we collectively decided that phone canvassing was a better use of our time. We'll be back in Prudhoe tomorrow.

Pledge to Britain's armed forces

I'm proud to be a supporter of Britain's armed forces. Attached is a copy of the pledge card I received from the Royal British Legion:

Topical joke

I used to go regularly to St. James Park in the 80s to watch "Arthur Cox's Black and White Army" as the Toon Army were then known (whenever Trelford Mills reffed, we lost). Therefore as a long-standing NUFC supporter, albeit largely of an armchair variety these days, it pains me to say I find the following topical joke quite funny:

"Newcastle Aiport is blaming NUFC not the Iceland volcano for its closure - apparently someone was seen dusting the trophy cabinet in St. James Park"

Friday: Bardon Mill

On Friday morning we'll be out and about in Bardon Mill and some of the surrounding villages - if you want to speak to me while I'm in the area, send an email to antoinetinnion@yahoo.com with your contact details and I will do my best to get in touch.

Update: we had a good turnout in Bardon Mill in the end (see above).

Leaders debate: thoughts

I watched the leaders debate tonight with keen interest. I'm going to try to avoid the usual habit of the Tory pundit saying the Tory speaker did best, the Labour pundit claiming the Labour speaker did best, etc, and give you instead my honest opinion, which is that Clegg probably did best, Gordon Brown's performance was consistent with what people expected of him, and Cameron failed to dazzle. The reason why Cameron disappointed was that while the PM came over as a man of substance (agree with him or not), Cameron didn't give voters much reason to pick him over Clegg - both young-ish (43), both relatively telegenic, both pitching for the middle ground, with Clegg edging it. In the long-term, I doubt tonight's debate will change many people's minds - I certainly can't imagine anyone would be any less inclined to vote Labour having seen Gordon Brown's performance that before, with GB you know exactly what you get - but I welcome it as an important new piece of furniture in British political life. Like it or lump it, our political system has become a de facto Presidential system, so we might as well have Presidential debates to go with it as well.

Postal vote deadline is fast approaching ...

I'd like to remind everyone that the deadline for Northumberland County Council receiving applications to vote by post is Tuesday, 20th April, ie, less than a week away. So if you want to get a postal vote, you need to apply for one asap - the number to call is 01670 533 307 or email elections@northumberland.gov.uk

Hexham is no longer a safe Tory seat - so vote Labour to keep the Tories out

On my blog, commentator "outsidethemarginals" has raised the issue of whether Hexham is still a safe Tory seat. I think the answer's no, here's why:

(1) The sitting Tory's MP's majority here is c.5,000 - and majorities that small get overturned all the time at general elections.
(2) At this election, a long-standing Tory incumbent is retiring to be replaced by a candidate who's got no local roots, only a local address.
(3) No-one knows what impact the MPs expenses scandal will have.
(4) No-one knows what impact the Independent candidate will have.
(5) This is the most internet/online general election campaign yet, and there many be many people (eg, younger voters) who decide how to vote based on online activities/research who are outside/ underneath the normal political radar.

The LibDem candidate has described this constituency as a 3-way marginal. While I'm not sure about that, one thing's for sure - we shall find out the answer in a few weeks time!

Monday: Bellingham, Wark, Newbrough

They say brevity is the soul of wit - in which case the title of this post pretty much speaks for itself.

Sunday: a game of three halves ...

Sunday began with an outing to Shiremoor to hear John Prescott speak in support of a fourth Labour term and to campaign on behalf of excellent local Tynemouth MP, Alan Campbell.

Second half of the day spent in Prudhoe for more canvassing/door-knocking - again, excellent weather meant we caught many people outside who were happy to talk over the fence.

Final half of the day finished off with sorting out nomination papers - not necessarily the most fun of tasks, but very, very important, if only to avoid being billed for the freepost mailing if the nomination papers are not in order. As far as I can tell, the Labour freepost has been the first one to go out - I saw it in people's porches in Otterburn on Friday, it arrived at my agent's house in Prudhoe on Saturday, and my mother and sister, who live in and just outside Ponteland respectively, received it on Thursday. None of my colleagues in the constituency have seen the Tory, LibDem or Independent freeposts yet.

Thankfully not a question asked on the doorsteps yet ...

An animated election cartoon by Morten Morland - Times Online

Declaration of interests

Although not compulsory, the Nolan Committee for Standards in Public Life recommends that candidates at parliamentary elections publish a declaration of interests. Here's mine (if it's illegibly small, just click on the picture for a closer look):

Out and about in Kirkwhelpington, Otterburn

Today we started the morning delivering our newsletters to Kirkwhelpington residents - weather fantastic, sun hot, shirt sweaty. Even before I was a candidate I was a regular visitor to Kirkwhelpington, as the mother of one of my wife's friends has lived here for years in the house next to the church (pictured above). A few years ago we saw actress Emma Thompson at the summer fair, who's husband's family come from the village.

After finishing our deliveries we headed up the A696 to deliver our newsletter to Otterburn residents, a number of whom were sensibly outside soaking up the sun (who knows, today could be the English summer). I stopped to have a chat with a few people, who gave me some good-natured ribbing about the Labour Party. My mum used to live in Jedburgh, and on the way back we would usually stop at the Percy Arms for a pint and Sunday lunch.

Malcolm McLaren RIP

Very sad to hear of the death of Malcolm McLaren, who I missed when he spoke only a couple of months ago at The Baltic, Newcastle. A true original, and someone who has had a huge, and in my view generally positive, influence on British popular culture.

Speaking at "Crown Inn", Catton, Allendale

Wednesday night: I attended a public meeting at the Crown Inn in Catton, just north of Allendale, where I gave a brief speech touching on why Labour deserve a fourth term and a Q&A session which lasted the best part of an hour and a half. I really enjoy meetings like this -- you get to meet local residents, they get to meet you, and there's enough time to get a real sense of what a candidate is all about -- and wish there were more of them. If anyone reading this blog wishes to organise a similar event, please let me know.

Bang! And we're off ...

Do Tories tolerate anti-gay discrimination?

Poor David Cameron. He spends years telling voters how the Tories are no longer the ‘nasty’ party, then along comes his gaffe-prone Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Grayling, who goes and spills the beans on what senior Tories are secretly thinking.

According to Cameron’s public statements, the Tories are no longer the sworn enemy of gay people, and are even appealing for their votes. Clause 28 was a long time ago in the past, he would have you believe.

According to Grayling in private, however, it’s perfectly ok for B&B owners to discriminate against gay guests, even though the law of the land makes such discrimination illegal.

There are probably several thousand gay voters in the Hexham constituency, who have the right to know whether the Tories believe anti-gay discrimination is acceptable in modern Britain.

My David Cameron

Distractions in Ponteland

Wednesday: out and about in Ponteland talking to local residents and delivering leaflets to get our message out. This beautiful cat wouldn't stop following me, probably because I couldn't stop petting it. Ponteland hasn't had a Labour councillor in donkey years, but that's not to say that there's not significant support on the estate for what the Labour Government has been doing in Westminister these past 13 years - investment in the NHS, education, Sure Start, tax credits, winter fuel allowance, free bus pass for pensioners, etc. You only need to look at the investment in the local Ponteland schools to see that (my cousins Jonathan and Alistair went to Ponteland High School).