Voter ID pilot is a good thing - it is already the law in N Ireland + most other countries, and prevents voter fraud

Plans to demand proof of identity before voting in a bid to combat electoral fraud are quite right in  my view. Councils in England, including Bradford and Birmingham, will trial the pilot scheme at local elections in 2018.

The government Wants to "ensure the integrity" of the electoral system.
Labour bizarrely have said it amounted to voter "suppression".
Different local authorities will trial different types of ID, including driving licences, passports and utility bills, before reviewing the evidence
Northern Ireland already requires voters to show ID before casting their vote.

The full story is here from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38440934
As always please write in and tell me what you think. I support this pilot.

New Year Resolution? Open a bank account with #TynedaleCommunityBank - #local savings, local people, local solutions, local loans

As we consider possible New Year Resolutions, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year from Tynedale Community Bank.

We are looking forward to the second year in our efforts to create a Community Bank that becomes the first choice for anyone looking to save money for any reason, including a special occasion or a rainy day, or anyone who is looking to borrow money.

We hope you join with us on our journey and if you are already supporters, in whatever way, we would like to thank you for your continued support.

·       Find us Online at: http://www.tcb.org.uk

·       Contact us by telephone on 01207 284851 – Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

·       In person at our Information Point at the Parish Centre (behind Hexham Abbey) every Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm, and at the Allendale Village Hall (Fawside office) Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.  We are also regularly based at the Hexham Job Centre where we can hold private meetings with anyone who would like to speak with us.

·       Or simply email us at: info@tynedalecommunitybank.org.uk and we can arrange a mutually convenient time and place to meet. 

·       For Facebook users, please like and share our page, which will help us keep you up to date with developments and spread the word.  The Facebook link is below or simply click on the icon below, to like our page. https://www.facebook.com/tynedalecommunitybank/

Tynedale Community Bank www.tcb.org.uk

Issues for the year ahead in 2017 - Article 50, Brexit, Trump as leader of the free world + elections in France + Germany will dominate

For us in the UK Brexit is clearly going to matter hugely as Article 50 is triggered in March and we embark on the 2 years of negotiations.
What Trump does as American President is going to matter massively. Is he going to be a Reagan style politician who is pro business, jobs and growth? I hope so. The jury is out but I am pleased to see him dumping some of his campaign promises.
But I suspect that the French and German Elections and their impacts will be all the more important: if Le Pen wins and Merkel loses then it is hard to see the European project surviving. This will impact on the UK.