BBC Look North Election Question Time Debate from yesterday on IPlayer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05t399y/election-2015-english-regional-debates-election-2015-a-bbc-look-north-special

Both the UK and Ireland are on the up - there are lessons for other countries in Europe

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/11559341/Irelands-lesson-for-Greece-stuff-happens.-Deal-with-it.html

Great plans by the conservatives for more apprenticeships

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/hexham-candidate-guy-opperman-backs-9137951

Hard to disagree with Boris assessment of socialism

Boris on Miliband was clear - warning that the Labour leader “thinks the only problem with Socialism is that it hasn’t been properly tried and that he just needs one more go."

Ponteland Beer Festival is today - go along if you can, it is worth it

http://www.pontelandbeerfestival.co.uk/

Conservatives outline a real chance for change in the North East

Local man and government Minister Greg Clark was in the region on Wednesday setting out a manifesto for the North East - the Journal report is here: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/analysis-news/north-east-could-control-nhs-9097237

Ponteland Hustings tonight at the United Reform Church

Looking forward to the Ponteland hustings tonight, which is the last local hustings. I am doing several more smaller single issue meetings before May 7, and will be doing a BBC Look North TV event next Wednesday evening.

With pupils today at Richard Coates Middle School as part of Send My Friends to School campaign

Richard Coates invited me in to their brilliant school once again to meet several of the classes who are designing T shirts as part of the campaign in support of the work of international aid, and the great work successive governments have done over the last 10 years to improve education primarily for African children. Had the chance to chat to many of the pupils in Year 5 and 6. Much discussion of the issue of equality, and the rights of women and girls. A great visit. I was presented with this wonderful T shirt, and several of their supporting letters and messages on the campaign. School were excited to have got a response from Downing Street, having written to the Prime Minister. The school's Year 7 had previously come down to Westminster to visit. Details of previous Q and A and that visit here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/visit-to-richard-coates-school-selfies.html

Farewell AP McCoy retiring tomorrow- we will not see the like of him again - a legend

Tomorrow sees Tony McCoys last ride as a jockey. He has been 20 times Champion jockey:

Like all his colleagues, the Northern Irishman risks his life every day in an arena where there are only four blank days in the calendar, and an ambulance follows every race.
He has fallen an estimated 1,000 times from horses weighing half a tonne, travelling at speeds of up to 30mph.
"He is made of concrete - they don't make people like AP McCoy any more," said friend and rival Ruby Walsh in the build-up to McCoy becoming the first jockey to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, in 2010. McCoy's toll of injuries is sobering - he's broken both collarbones, shoulder blades, his lower and middle vertebrae, ribs, cheekbones, a leg, ankle, arm and wrist. He has punctured his lungs, chipped teeth and even dislocated his thumb. For a full list of his injuires and what makes him so great have a read of the BBC tribute here; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/24819388

For my part I have been lucky enough to meet the great man a couple of times, and like many have found him nothing but a true professional, whilst committed and unfailingly polite to everyone from the stable lads to the owners and breeders. All of us could tell our legendary AP tales whether it is the wins from when it simply was not possible to his sheer will to win. He once took over from me and rode Lowlander, the horse pictured below, at Fontwell. I will remember our conversation after the race for a long time. He is right to retire at the top. We will never see the like of him again. Wish I was there at Sandown tomorrow but will watch his final bow on iplayer.

Hexham Farmers Market tomorrow - shop local and support your local producers

Happy St George's day -England & Northumberland looking beautiful this April

Local lad David Skelton has written this celebration of today and England's patron saint: worth a read- http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/04/david-skelton-raise-a-glass-of-ale-today-to-england-englishness-and-st-george.html

Hexham Book Festival up and running - please come along and support, listen and buy!

http://hexhambookfestival.co.uk
There are amazing writers from Wendy Cope to Alexander McCall Smith plus Michael Smith and John Lanchester. If you have not had enough of the election and politics then come and listen to Labour legend Chris Mullin or journo Steve Richards, or Blair's inside man, Jonathan Powell. The array of choice is genuinely amazing. I am going to go for sure.

A long day - 3 Hustings, 10,815 steps canvassing + several meetings / surgeries

All the Hexham candidates did a full shift today! BBC Radio Newcastle / Hexham High School hustings at 8.45, a lunchtime hustings at Prudhoe High School and an evening 2 hour hustings at St Mary's Church in Prudhoe punctuated by a lot of canvassing for me in glorious sunshine. A really good day ... but I can guarantee that all the candidates will sleep very well tonight!

Boris article in yesterday's paper is worth reading - he sums up the electoral choice very well

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3045160/This-Battle-Britain-Boris-Johnson-electrifies-Tory-campaign-Churchillian-rally-cry-telling-Mail-Sunday-deranged-Ed-70s.html

Looking forward to 3 Hustings tomorrow - will be at Hexham QEHS first thing for a BBC radio Newcastle debate

Really welcome Chancellor's Lloyds decision to allow public to have shares + take control of the bailed out bank Lloyds

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11547761/George-Osborne-We-want-to-give-everyone-a-fair-share-in-this-countrys-future.html

Haltwhistle walking festival starts soon and there are still places available on their many walks

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/analysis-news/haltwhistle-festival-walkers-can-retrace-9062418

Greece will leave the Euro - it is a matter of when not if, as their government will not take tough decisions

In 2010 the UK had a debt comparable to Greece's at the time. We have turned our country around by tough decisions and sticking to a long term economic plan. I am afraid the same cannot be said of Greece. They have been bailed out by other Euro zone countries [not including the UK, as the Chancellor took us out of the Euro bail out zone] on a repeat basis. But they refuse to cut their costs. The maths are simple. If you repeatedly spend more than you have, and have no plans for alternative income or the ability to get yet more borrowing then you will go bust. Greece is literally running out of money and refuses to take any action. It's exit is a certainty in my view.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11543730/Grexit-dangers-mount-as-Greeces-Yanis-Varoufakis-warns-of-liquidity-asphyxiation.html

Could Kielder Forest see the reintroduction of a big cat - the return of a Lynx? Read the Journal report

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/lynx-kielder-forest-big-cats-9056789

Corbridge Memory Cafe today - Corbridge is a leading dementia friendly community

It was a privilege to chat today with Parish Councillor Melvyn Stone, and several of his helpers, who are doing so much for so many as volunteers. I trained with Melvyn earlier in the year to be come a dementia friend: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mp-joins-assisted-walk-corbridge-7621737
For people with dementia, memory problems or who want more information or just a nice cuppa with good people the Memory Cafe in Corbridge Parish Hall every 3rd Thursday in the month is another way local people are ensuring that dementia can be addressed. I have nothing but admiration for everything that Melvyn and his team are doing. If you wish to support the Memory Cafe then all contributions and assistance would I know be welcomed.

Local lad David Skelton writes on why the Conservatives are now the party of working people

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11535115/Right-to-buy-proves-the-Conservatives-not-Labour-are-now-the-party-of-working-people.html

River Tyne beautiful tonight after a long day

Long day with Hexham meetings, Prudhoe all afternoon and side trips to Horsley, Dalton and Fenwick. Finished with a pint of Nell's Best at The Boathouse in Wylam, where I took this picture of the River Tyne, as the sun went down.

Broadband rollout continues as Corbridge now has access to high speed fibre broadband

After a long campaign the final cabinets are now live in Corbridge, meaning the whole village now has access to high speed fibre broadband.  

This is good news for businesses and local people. 

Properties closest to the cabinets can benefit from download speeds of 80 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps and, as the technology uses the existing copper connections between the cabinet and the properties, these speeds will reduce over distance from the cabinet. This unfortunately means some of the communities outside the village cannot yet benefit from the improved services, but we are working to extend the coverage with additional funding. 

NB: It is important to note however that the improved speeds do not happen automatically and if residents or businesses do not upgrade to a fibre based broadband service they will see no improvements. Services are available from a range of internet providers including BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk, O2, EE and others, and our feedback is that many people have been able to upgrade at no extra cost, or in some cases actually saved money on the monthly payments. We have a comparison tool on our website (www.inorthumberland.org.uk) which allows people to enter their postcode and phone number to see which deals are currently available – alternatively many people choose to just contact their existing provider to upgrade.

I am acutely conscious that some villages and isolated rural communities are yet to receive their broadband upgrade. This is a massive job, at high cost, but we are getting there: my latest blog in march gives you more details of when and how this is happening:

http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/broadband-update-phase-1-roll-out.html

Hustings dates - further debates between all 5 candidates at the General Election

Saturday 18^th April Hexham QE High School – 2.30pm. Run by Northumbrians for Peace & sponsored by Hexham Quakers. I have been asked to correct the original posting. I was originally told that this was to be a joint event with the Hexham Abbey, but I am now told this is not the case. It is chaired by George Hepburn. Open to all. If you want to ask a question come along at 2 and a committee will assess the suitability of the question you wish to ask.

Monday 20^th April
19.00 - Prudhoe Hustings - St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Prudhoe. Run by the local  church, and hosted by Rev Charles Hope. Open to all

Friday 24^th April 19.30 - Ponteland Hustings, United Reform Church, Broadway, Darras Hall. Also run by the local Church. Open to all
In addition, there are multiple other debates including 2 school debates:

20/4/15:
9am to 10am - QEHS School Hustings 2015 [pupils, and BBC Radio Newcastle only]

13.30 – Prudhoe CHS School Hustings [pupils only] at the Fuse Media Studies Centre

I am doing a large number of other events, debates and hustings both in the constituency, and in the wider North East, including a BBC TV Debate, and on other media outlets.

Labour MP Liam Byrne's infamous April 2010 letter states why we cannot trust our economy / future with Labour

Sandstone Way opening - Northumberland's brilliant new cycle way: I will be cycling this with Ted this summer

The team who came along 2 weeks ago for the opening of the Sandstone Way have made the following video: http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/listing/Sandstone-Way-Hexham-Launch-Ride

The Cycle Way is already transforming the local economies in Bellingham, Rothbury, Wooller and all places between Hexham and Berwick. In the summer I plan to cycle the route, time permitting with Ted, the original planner. Full credit to all the local groups who came together to make this happen, including the council, Northumberland national park, natural England and many others. A real team effort and further proof that Northumberland is the cycling capital of the UK. If I had to cite one group really supporting the Sandstone Way, amongst many, it would have to be the team at Cycle Pad: http://www.cyclepad.org.uk
The Journal report is here: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/sandstone-way-mountain-bike-trail-8896399

The Iran foreign policy deal will make the world safer this Easter, and potentially for years to come

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-32172301

Iran holds the key to so much in the Middle East, and the successful agreement reached after months of negotiations is genuinely a very good step forward.

Full credit to all the diplomats and politicians on both sides including our Foreign Secretary, who has worked hand in glove with America's John Kerry, for ages to secure this deal. The deal lifts punitive sanctions and allows the reintegration of Iran back in to the world whilst at the same time preventing an escalation of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

President Obama has hailed the deal restricting Iran's nuclear programme as a "historic understanding" which, if implemented, will make the world safer. I support the efforts made, and the compromises that have to be reached to secure a better today and a far safer future.

The hope is that the improvement in Iran relations will now improve the prospects for deescalation of violence in the wider Middle East. If this happens it will be a genuine tipping point.

If you want to read more on this issue my speech and the full debate on this country, and the wider Middle Eastern issues, in the Commons late last year, is found here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/iran-debatemy-speech-powerful-speeches.html

Grand National Tips - Shutthefrontdoor a worthy favourite for AP but others are better odds

Somehow I have agreed to go campaigning during the big race this coming Saturday, but at race time I will be stopping and heading for a TV to watch. APs horse is a worthy favourite: an Irish National winner with a touch of class and a reasonable weight - and he has been set out for this race. Expect him to start a very hot favourite - both because he is the bet of the race - and because of the AP factor. The great man retires if he wins. For my money it is written in the stars, although you don't back a horse on the day at the odds this fellow will be. I have a bet at 10-1 each way from a while back, but I fear he will start at odds of around 3-1 on the day which is crazy odds for a race like the Grand National where anything can happen. There are 30 fences, some horses don't take to the place, and hot favourites have been knocked over or brought down in the past. My dad rode in the race in the 1960's and himself was brought down at Bechers second time round!
http://www.grand-national.me.uk/

Each Way prospects to appeal on the day:
- Balthazar King will go very close: he was second in the 2014 Grand National and based on that performance you’d expect him to go close again. Raised a few pounds by the handicapper for the 2015 renewal that shouldn’t be a major concern for this smart chaser, who again has been prepared with this race in mind. Very likely to make the frame.
- The Druids Nephew; I always prefer horses with less than 11 stone on their back, who are progressive, and I like The Druids Nephew who fits the bill, at good odds; the Neil Mulholland trained eight year old was superb in winning at the Cheltenham Festival. Will go close with a clear round and worth an each way punt.

If you want an outsider at long odds: Dolatulo has an outside chance

Easter events in Northumberland - hiking, food, gardens, the stars, a beer festival, top quiz and barrel racing

A good walk - you could go to Hadrians Wall http://www.visithadrianswall.co.uk/
But if you want 5 places to visit these would all make anyone's top spots:
- The Beach at Bamburgh - a great walk and a top castle
- Roman Vindolanda http://www.vindolanda.com/ = our best Roman and historical site
- Kielder Water and Forest Park: http://www.visitkielder.com/
They win awards all the time!!
http://www.visitkielder.com/news/2013/05/kielder-water-forest-park-officially-the-best-tourism-experience-in-engl-
- Alnwick Castle and its magnificent Gardens http://www.alnwickcastle.com/
For spring flowers then I would probably pick Cragside: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside/
-It is a stunning house with amazing engineering everywhere and beautiful gardens filled with 40 miles of walks, rare flowers and so much more. It is a special place.
Two gastropubs holding spcial events:
- The Battlesteads Inn has a new observatory. It is a brilliant pub and has gone to great efforts to make itself a destination in its own right. Here is the report by the Courant: http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/home/sky-s-the-limit-for-new-observatory-1.1202156
- The award winning Feathers Inn is showcasing so much this Easter that their festival runs for many days. If you have not been I urge you to go - it's won awards for its food and has a great community atmosphere: http://thefeathers.net/news/2014/12/bed-and-breakfast-special-offer/
There is a beer festival, and on sunday night Toby sets a mean quiz and it is a good night, and Monday sees the barrel racing.

And if you want to go to church then where better to go than Hexham Abbey: http://hexham-abbey.org.uk/