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Letters

Time for a firework ban?

3

Time for a firework ban?

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves

1

What will the long term cost of the Budget be?

Crowds at York Christmas Market make it unbearable and the city centre a no-go area says our letter writer. What is your view?

Crowds at York Christmas Market make it unbearable and the city centre a no-go area says our letter writer. What is your view?

6

'The Christmas Market has got out of hand - it's unbearable and a no-go area'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, delivers his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference this week

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, delivers his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference this week

9

Sticking two fingers up at the electorate

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves

39

Labour's committing political hari-kari

Lee Carsley, interim England boss. Photo: Evan Treacy/PA

Lee Carsley, interim England boss. Photo: Evan Treacy/PA

England football

2

Do you sing the National Anthem?

Kirstie Allsopp allowed her 15-year-old son to go interrailing across Europe for three weeks (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

Kirstie Allsopp allowed her 15-year-old son to go interrailing across Europe for three weeks (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

Kirstie Allsopp

How much freedom do you give your children?

Following the recent scandal over parking issues at the DL1 complex, it seems Darlington Borough Council are also culpable of similar practices

Following the recent scandal over parking issues at the DL1 complex, it seems Darlington Borough Council are also culpable of similar practices

8

LETTER: More parking woes in Darlington after 'scandal' of DL1 complex car park

Riot police on the streets of Middlesbrough

Riot police on the streets of Middlesbrough

Southport Protests

2

Acknowledging the important role of trusted media

Prison overcrowding is a key issue facing Keir Starmer's Labour government

Prison overcrowding is a key issue facing Keir Starmer's Labour government

1

A resettlement success story

Hopetown Darlington

Hopetown Darlington

Cultural attractions

3

What do you think about Darlington's new railway museum?

Companies don't want to talk to their customers

Companies don't want to talk to their customers

Companies don't want to talk to their customers

Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England boss after eight years in the role

Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England boss after eight years in the role

England football

All the best Gareth

Even the step at No 10 looks like it could do with a scrub

Even the step at No 10 looks like it could do with a scrub

1

Where's the pride in our homes gone?

Shops being targeted by shoplifters

Shops being targeted by shoplifters

Darlington's shoplifting epidemic

Tracey Emin was made a dame in the recent King's Birthday Honours

Tracey Emin was made a dame in the recent King's Birthday Honours

King's Birthday Honours

1

King’s Birthday Honours "they give them to anyone"

Nigel Farage pictured announcing that he was taking over the leadership of Reform UK

Nigel Farage pictured announcing that he was taking over the leadership of Reform UK

General Election 2024

7

Farage return will liven things up

6

LETTER: "Fly-tippers on North Road are vermin, it's not the council's fault"

Teesside Retail Park seems to be booming

Teesside Retail Park seems to be booming

2

Should we be paying to park in retail parks?

Empty business premises on North Road, Darlington

Empty business premises on North Road, Darlington

1

People are the reason North Road is in such a state

Development on Durham City's Milburngate development has stalled

Development on Durham City's Milburngate development has stalled

Durham County Council

2

Questions to answer over Milburngate

Steve Gibson and Ben Houchen

Steve Gibson and Ben Houchen

12

Well said, Mr Gibson

Steve Gibson and Chris McEwan in the directors’ box at Middlesbrough’s match on Monday night

Steve Gibson and Chris McEwan in the directors’ box at Middlesbrough’s match on Monday night

Darlington Borough Council

1

Questioning Steve Gibson's "blinkered" views

Bills have risen for everyone this month

Bills have risen for everyone this month

1

Where are the perks for pensioners these days?

A reader is unhappy about proposed changes to the roundabout at Rushyford

A reader is unhappy about proposed changes to the roundabout at Rushyford

Local government

1

Roundabout hell

2

LETTER: County Durham resident bemoans letters with 'fake stamps'

Dramatic images of the arrest of Jossy Smith were captured by a photographer

Dramatic images of the arrest of Jossy Smith were captured by a photographer

1

Miners' strike still causes tension 40 years on

BEACH: Volunteers clean up on Seaham Beach

BEACH: Volunteers clean up on Seaham Beach

A kick in the teeth for Seaham

Perhaps the debris in the verges is one of the reasons why Milbank Road floods in heavy rain

Perhaps the debris in the verges is one of the reasons why Milbank Road floods in heavy rain

4

'Look at the state of Milbank Road in Darlington - the verges are a disgrace'

Darlington Labour Councillor Chris McEwan who is running for Tees Valley Mayor

Darlington Labour Councillor Chris McEwan who is running for Tees Valley Mayor

Local government

1

Changing face

People are waiting weeks just to speak to someone at a doctor's surgery in Hampshire.

People are waiting weeks just to speak to someone at a doctor's surgery in Hampshire.

5

Previous Tory strongholds at risk

Labour leader Keir Starmer's plans are lacking ambition according to this reader

Labour leader Keir Starmer's plans are lacking ambition according to this reader

5

Unambitious plans

Is gambling and alcohol addiction to blame for society's problems?

Is gambling and alcohol addiction to blame for society's problems?

The problems of society today

Darlington's indoor market on a busy day

Darlington's indoor market on a busy day

4

Award winner

This Brexiteer is still pleased to be out of the EU

This Brexiteer is still pleased to be out of the EU

7

A Brexit voters' view

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks in the House of Commons (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks in the House of Commons (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

4

We need a credible Armed Forces

You can keep your football spoilers

You can keep your football spoilers

You can keep your football spoilers

Social Media apps on a mobile phone. By Elgan Hearn

Social Media apps on a mobile phone. By Elgan Hearn

Glued to our phones

The Chairman of Bishop Auckland FC gives his views on the lack of money given to non-league clubs.

The Chairman of Bishop Auckland FC gives his views on the lack of money given to non-league clubs.

Too much money in the Premiership

The petition demanding Paula Vennells be stripped of her CBE has reached over a million signatures

The petition demanding Paula Vennells be stripped of her CBE has reached over a million signatures

Mr Bates vs The Post Office

Honour must go

A reader asks what's the point of sorting our recycling when the binmen tip it all in the same binwagon?

A reader asks what's the point of sorting our recycling when the binmen tip it all in the same binwagon?

Mixed messages on recycling

Older drivers should face a compulsory test believes our correspondent.

Older drivers should face a compulsory test believes our correspondent.

LETTER OF THE DAY

2

Driving aged 70 and over? You should pass a test before you can

Can Darlington's Labour-controlled council really do anything to reduce the cost of living?

Can Darlington's Labour-controlled council really do anything to reduce the cost of living?

Cost of living crisis

4

The cost of living in Darlington

Reader Doug Porthouse remembers blackberry picking during his childhood

Reader Doug Porthouse remembers blackberry picking during his childhood

Happy memories of life on a farm in the 1940s

Sir Nick Clegg has worked at Meta since 2018 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir Nick Clegg has worked at Meta since 2018 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

4

Would it be better to bring back Nick Clegg?

A reader was annoyed at the interrogation he was given when he went into his back to withdraw money.

A reader was annoyed at the interrogation he was given when he went into his back to withdraw money.

Over-cautious banks

Missing your medical appointments costs all of us

Missing your medical appointments costs all of us

2

Counting the cost of NHS time wasters

Go North East bus

Go North East bus

2

Will striking bus drivers see sense?

Labour MP's suspension fills one reader with glee

Labour MP's suspension fills one reader with glee

38

Labour MP's suspension fills one reader with glee

Spennymoor Town Hall

Spennymoor Town Hall

Local government

2

Is this salary justifiable?

The felled tree at Sycamore Gap

The felled tree at Sycamore Gap

3

It seems you can do anything you want in this country

Should council's concentrate on ensuring drains on main roads are kept clear? Image: PIXABAY

Should council's concentrate on ensuring drains on main roads are kept clear? Image: PIXABAY

Council asked to sort out their hidden drains

1

Have you heard enough about Russell Brand?

Would it be fairer to give pensioners who rely only on the state pension more?

Would it be fairer to give pensioners who rely only on the state pension more?

6

Should the state pension increase be given to those who need it most?