Late night TV and Tynedale Grange, Haltwhistle

Have been to busy to blog for a few days but on Thursday had a great afternoon in Haltwhistle, culminating in tea at Tynedale Grange - which is always a gastronomic event, as Ida can really bake. Much discussion as to the demise of Greenholme and the fate of their new hospital - which I am assured will go ahead.

Then off to Gateshead for the Late Night Politics Show with Gerry Foley. Talk was dominated by the A1, which we have put into the national network

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/04/29/tories-pledge-to-end-motorists-misery-and-dual-a1-61634-26339513/

Sadly my taxi sent by ITV failed to arrive and had to drive - ran out of petrol on the way back

Carlisle - liberal backs Tory candidate

Spent half a day last week helping John Stevenson [red tie] in Carlisle; he has a 5000+ labour majority to overcome and is a classic swing seat; we found the mood on the doorstep very strong and with little support for Labour save traditional labour supporters; he has interesting news today as Steven Tweedie, the Lib Dem candidate for Carlisle in 2005, is quoted in the Cumberland News:
“The electorate of Carlisle face an important choice. Do we stay with Labour yet again or embrace change and vote for John Stevenson – the only alternative candidate that can win the constituency? I firmly believe that Carlisle needs a new direction. Labour has failed to deliver for Carlisle and the Labour Government has been a disaster.
“Of all the candidates, John Stevenson is the least tribal and the most likely to advance the cause of our city. I wish to endorse him personally and would encourage others to give him their support.”
Carlisle has not returned a Conservative MP since the 1959 general election, but the redrawn boundaries mean that John requires a swing of 6.7% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 5,085

Egger visit

Went to Egger today with Mark Francois, Shadow Minsiter for Europe and were once again hosted by Bob -who gave us an update on Egger's progress, and their investment in the plant. Egger plays a key role in this community.

Reassured them that I, and the Conservatives, were keen to support them - they bring a lot to this town