Labour Party

Letters

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

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he has not ruled out a smoking ban in outdoor spaces like pub gardens, hospital and university campuses, children's play areas and sports grounds.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he has not ruled out a smoking ban in outdoor spaces like pub gardens, hospital and university campuses, children's play areas and sports grounds.

14

'Going too far': Readers react to Government's proposed smoking ban

Leaders of 455 schools and college across the country have written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging her to pause plans to defund BTEC courses.

Leaders of 455 schools and college across the country have written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging her to pause plans to defund BTEC courses.

Department for Education

3

Plans to continue BTEC defunding labelled a 'mess' by North East school leaders

New MPs in the region have been making their first speeches in Parliament.

New MPs in the region have been making their first speeches in Parliament.

General Election 2024

1

What did new North East Labour MPs talk about in their first speeches to Parliament?

Baroness Jenny Chapman, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor MP Alan Strickland, Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist, and Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody (clockwise from top left).

Baroness Jenny Chapman, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor MP Alan Strickland, Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist, and Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody (clockwise from top left).

25

Four North East Labour politicians given ministerial roles including two newbies

Stockton West Labour candidate Joe Dancey lost to Tory Matt Vickers (inset)

Stockton West Labour candidate Joe Dancey lost to Tory Matt Vickers (inset)

General Election 2024

8

Joe Dancey talks 'honour and privilege' after shock Stockton West defeat

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer launches his party's manifesto at Co-op HQ in Manchester, while on the General Election campaign trail.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer launches his party's manifesto at Co-op HQ in Manchester, while on the General Election campaign trail.

General Election 2024

13

REVEALED: How many times does Labour manifesto mention the North East?

Echo reporter Daniel Hordon speaks to Labour's Peter Kyle and Darlington candidate Lola McEvoy.

Echo reporter Daniel Hordon speaks to Labour's Peter Kyle and Darlington candidate Lola McEvoy.

General Election 2024

24

Labour minister says party will have 'profound impact from day one'

Sir Keir Starmer holding a copy of The Northern Echo

Sir Keir Starmer holding a copy of The Northern Echo

Northern Echo Manifesto

57

Keir Starmer backs The Echo's manifesto - and plans to 'deliver it from day one'

Jacob Young and Anna Turley have backed The Northern Echo's manifesto

Jacob Young and Anna Turley have backed The Northern Echo's manifesto

Northern Echo Manifesto

General Election 2024

2

Redcar election candidates back The Northern Echo's 'fantastic' North East manifesto

Peter Kyle with Kim McGuinness and Hexham parliamentary candidate joe Morris.

Peter Kyle with Kim McGuinness and Hexham parliamentary candidate joe Morris.

2

Labour shadow minister in region as Keir Starmer reveals 'first steps for change'

Sir Keir Starmer at The Northern Echo's HQ in Darlington.

Sir Keir Starmer at The Northern Echo's HQ in Darlington.

STARMER IN DARLINGTON

29

Sir Keir Starmer Q&A: Labour leader answers our questions on visit to Echo newsroom

Sir Keir Starmer at Teesport last week.

Sir Keir Starmer at Teesport last week.

STARMER IN DARLINGTON

13

Starmer agrees with Boro boss Steve Gibson's damning assessment of Teesworks deal

Sir Keir Starmer reading Friday's Northern Echo on a visit to our Darlington newsroom.

Sir Keir Starmer reading Friday's Northern Echo on a visit to our Darlington newsroom.

STARMER IN DARLINGTON

83

Sir Keir Starmer says it was Labour that got it wrong in 2019 on visit to Echo

Keir Starmer on a train.

Keir Starmer on a train.

42

Labour to renationalise the railways if they win next general election

49

Labour will call in National Audit Office to probe Teesworks if they win election

Labour politicians on a visit to the Merit factory in Cramlington, Northumberland speaking to apprentices and graduate trainees. In blue (L-R) Cramlington and Killingworth Labour candidate Emma Foody, Kim McGuinness and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Labour politicians on a visit to the Merit factory in Cramlington, Northumberland speaking to apprentices and graduate trainees. In blue (L-R) Cramlington and Killingworth Labour candidate Emma Foody, Kim McGuinness and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Labour pledge to help keep talent in region so young don't have to move down south

The Labour Party has promised a resurrection of high streets across the North East after they set out a five-point plan to “breathe new life”

The Labour Party has promised a resurrection of high streets across the North East after they set out a five-point plan to “breathe new life”

17

Labour plans to resurrect region's high streets and reopen empty shops and pubs

Labour has pledged to

Labour has pledged to

50

Labour unveil five-point plan to ‘breathe new life’ into high streets in North East

Labour has urged Ben Houchen to turn down any Tory party money that came from Frank Hester ahead of May’s mayoral elections.

Labour has urged Ben Houchen to turn down any Tory party money that came from Frank Hester ahead of May’s mayoral elections.

24

Labour calling on Ben Houchen to reject party money from Tory donor in race row

8

Labour frontbencher 'delighted' at Andy McDonald having whip restored

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

Sir Keir Starmer.

Sir Keir Starmer.

21

Starmer 'nearly quit as Labour leader' after 2021 Hartlepool by-election loss

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said there is a ‘broken relationship between schools and families’ (James Manning/PA)

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said there is a ‘broken relationship between schools and families’ (James Manning/PA)

6

Labour set to legislate for national register to tackle school absences

Hartlepool Labour Cllr Ben Clayton, inset, has been convicted of a speeding offence.

Hartlepool Labour Cllr Ben Clayton, inset, has been convicted of a speeding offence.

16

Councillor ordered to pay £340 after speeding over 30mph in his Mercedes

Labour Shadow Health Minister Wes Streeting.

Labour Shadow Health Minister Wes Streeting.

45

Labour admits it needs to deliver 'real improvements' to NHS if it wins election

Long-serving Nick Brown, the MP for Newcastle East, had the Labour whip suspended in September 2022 after a complaint was made against him

Long-serving Nick Brown, the MP for Newcastle East, had the Labour whip suspended in September 2022 after a complaint was made against him

21

North East MP quits Labour Party and will stand down at next general election

City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy.

City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy.

43

Durham MP votes to back Gaza ceasefire as Labour faces frontbench rebellion

Stephen Harker, leader of DBC, said earlier this year that this year's event in South Park wouldn't be going ahead, citing that it was too expensive and the council did not have the funds to deliver the display

Stephen Harker, leader of DBC, said earlier this year that this year's event in South Park wouldn't be going ahead, citing that it was too expensive and the council did not have the funds to deliver the display

Conservative Party

20

'Extremely expensive' - Darlington residents furious as fireworks display cancelled

Joe Dancey following his selection.

Joe Dancey following his selection.

13

Labour selects candidate to stand in new Teesside seat at next general election

Luke Henman has announced he will stand to be Labour's candidate to be Tees Valley Mayor.

Luke Henman has announced he will stand to be Labour's candidate to be Tees Valley Mayor.

41

Labour hopeful to oust Ben Houchen as mayor becomes first to announce campaign

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves spoke exclusively to The Northern Echo on a visit to Spennymoor on Wednesday (August 23),

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves spoke exclusively to The Northern Echo on a visit to Spennymoor on Wednesday (August 23),

30

Shadow Chancellor says government has failed on levelling up on North East visit

Will it be Starmer or Sunak leading the country after the next election?

Will it be Starmer or Sunak leading the country after the next election?

Conservative Party

8

Is it Labour's turn to run the country?

Stephen Harker, leader of DBC, said last year's event in South Park was successful, but said it was too expensive and the council did not have the funds to deliver the display.

Stephen Harker, leader of DBC, said last year's event in South Park was successful, but said it was too expensive and the council did not have the funds to deliver the display.

Conservative Party

63

'Extremely expensive' Council confirm Darlington fireworks display cancelled

Jeremy Corbyn celebrates becoming leader of the Labour Party - but his leadership wasn't popular with everyone in the party.

Jeremy Corbyn celebrates becoming leader of the Labour Party - but his leadership wasn't popular with everyone in the party.

Letter: Why this reader thinks Labour has behaved treacherously

Boris Johnson faced the Partygate report that was published today (June 15).

Boris Johnson faced the Partygate report that was published today (June 15).

56

'Boris Johnson is a liar' - North East MPs react to Partygate report

Jo Farrell has been appointed Police Scotland chief constable

Jo Farrell has been appointed Police Scotland chief constable

10

Chief constable of Durham becomes first woman chief constable of Police Scotland

The charges will now be back in place in Darlington town centre.

The charges will now be back in place in Darlington town centre.

Conservative Party

55

Free car parking in Darlington axed as charges re-introduced by Labour council

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald has condemned the government's plans.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald has condemned the government's plans.

Conservative Party

15

Labour MP hits out at 'divisive' Teesside barge proposal housing 1,000 migrants

A Darlington Labour candidate has been suspended by the party over a sex offender slur about the royal family on twitter.

A Darlington Labour candidate has been suspended by the party over a sex offender slur about the royal family on twitter.

49

Labour suspends Darlington candidate over royal family sex offender tweet

Labour is now ‘unrecognisable’ compared to the party which saw devastating losses in 2019, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Labour is now ‘unrecognisable’ compared to the party which saw devastating losses in 2019, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2023

30

Labour now 'unrecognisable' to party which saw huge losses in 2019, Starmer says

Labour Cllr Bob Cook (left) and Conservative Cllr Tony Riordan are both hoping they will be Stockton Council's leader following local elections on May 4.

Labour Cllr Bob Cook (left) and Conservative Cllr Tony Riordan are both hoping they will be Stockton Council's leader following local elections on May 4.

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2023

Conservative Party

1

Meet the men hoping to be Stockton Council's next leader & what they say they'll do

Conservatives look set to lose power in Darlington at local elections this week, a polls has said.

Conservatives look set to lose power in Darlington at local elections this week, a polls has said.

Conservative Party

130

Tories look set to lose control of Darlington Council in elections, poll predicts

Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour plans to deliver

Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour plans to deliver

10

Sir Keir Starmer says give 'power and resource' to North East communities

Sir Keir Starmer called for more to be done regarding the

Sir Keir Starmer called for more to be done regarding the

4

Sir Keir Starmer says government has 'let down' North East on crustacean deaths

Chris McDonald has been selected as Labour's next Parliamentary candidate in Stockton North when incumbent MP Alex Cunningham steps down.

Chris McDonald has been selected as Labour's next Parliamentary candidate in Stockton North when incumbent MP Alex Cunningham steps down.

8

Local party members select candidate for next election as MP plans to retire

Labour criticises North East MP's pledge to reopen A&E after exclusive interview

Labour criticises North East MP's pledge to reopen A&E after exclusive interview

28

Labour criticises North East MP's pledge to reopen A&E after exclusive interview

Bill Esterson, Labour's shadow business minister, met with Hartlepool's independent business owners alongside Jonathan Brash, Labour candidate for the town, on this week to listen to their struggles with rising costs Credit: LABOUR

Bill Esterson, Labour's shadow business minister, met with Hartlepool's independent business owners alongside Jonathan Brash, Labour candidate for the town, on this week to listen to their struggles with rising costs Credit: LABOUR

Cost of living crisis

1

Labour MPs meet with North East businesses struggling with cost of living crisis

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted local elections in the North East this summer are ‘really important’ for her party after disastrous defeats four years ago.

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted local elections in the North East this summer are ‘really important’ for her party after disastrous defeats four years ago.

11

Top Labour MP admits North East local elections 'really important' for party

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the North East has “so much to offer” as she visited the region on Tuesday (February 14).

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the North East has “so much to offer” as she visited the region on Tuesday (February 14).

16

Shadow Chancellor says North East has 'so much to offer' as she visits region

Sam Rushworth, Labour's candidate to be Bishop Auckland’s next MP, has spoken out after Dehenna Davison announced she would stand down at the next General Election

Sam Rushworth, Labour's candidate to be Bishop Auckland’s next MP, has spoken out after Dehenna Davison announced she would stand down at the next General Election

Conservative Party

32

Bishop Auckland Labour candidate speaks out as Dehenna Davison MP plans to stand down

A poverty action strategy and action plan was discussed at a Durham County Council cabinet meeting.

A poverty action strategy and action plan was discussed at a Durham County Council cabinet meeting.

Durham County Council

Action plan offers 'routes out of poverty' and support in hardship, say leaders

Sir Keir Starmer. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO

Sir Keir Starmer. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO

5

Journalism Matters Week: What Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer says