Hustings debate at the Evening Chronicle

Northumberland local election hustings at the Chronicle and Journal office in Newcastle. Pictured are L-R Natalie Younes, Adam Howells, Journal editor Graeme Whitfield, Richard Wearmouth and Scott Dickinson. (Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)

I had a very interesting and informative afternoon at the Newcastle Journal and Chroinicle offices on Friday.

Whilst the debate was friendly in the most part and there was often broad agreement on some areas, it was clear to me that the driving forces in Northumberland County Council, on all establishment party sides, is the coastal A1 corridor. Issues to the west of Ponteland are of little interest to your top table Labour and Conservative councillors - and that isn't likely to change. The only way for Hexham, Haltwhistle and the surrounding areas to get any representation on County Hall is to vote Reform in the upcoming elections.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/next-party-win-power-northumberland-31408210?fbclid=IwY2xjawJmYKtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHg0tlzHmVKFNxtQedkT2gypbbdqYcPqIXfVWZy4c7oija0VrFhd3lK3pdnhh_aem_G1ZUalvT3ZEQC0TaUc9uuw