The Epic Moss Missives Review of 2010 Part Two
Did you know it was Christmas soon? The perfect time for a review of the year.
And you thought it couldn't get more exciting.
Here's the second installment in the now almost-legendary Moss Missives review of the political year in the North East and Cumbria.
And we've reached the election build-up. Wonder who will win?
John Prescott is as large as life, even if his bus is a bit smaller.
In my first visit to Redcar since the mothballing of the Corus plant, I find some dangerous disaffection amongst Labour constituents of the town's MP Vera Baird. But I shrewdly discount the chances of the Lib Dems winning the seat from her.
The North East regional parliamentary committee criticises Corus for not seriously looking for a buyer for the Redcar site. It urges the Government to consider offering a subsidy to any potential buyer.
John Prescott is the big draw at Labour's regional conference in Sunderland. The former Deputy Prime Minister is as large as life still but his transportation has been downsized to a battle mini-bus. He remains unrepentant about his vision for regional government in the North East.
Northern Rock announces some good news - losses of £250m. It doesn't sound great but compared to a £1.4bn loss in 2008, it's a huge leap forward. It also announces bonuses of £14.9m, but the bulk go to staff earning less than £25,000 a year.
There's disappointment as the Government announces plans for for a high speed rail link that will stop in Birmingham. There's a possiblity of extending it to Manchester and Leeds, but only a long-term aspiration for it to reach the North East, and no plans for it to head into Cumbria.
Teesside MP Ashok Kumar died aged just 53.
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar is found dead at his home in Teesside. Aged just 53, tributes pour in from his colleagues and constituents. Gordon Brown describes him as "a warm and incredibly generous man" and "a tenacious campaigner" for Teesside. He was the region's first Asian MP.
Channel 4 shows footage of North Tyneside MP Stephen Byers touting himself to lobbyists as a "cab for hire". He's suspended from the Labour party, and an inquiry begins. You know it's bad when Lord Mandelson says your behaviour is "grubby".
North Durham MP Kevan Jones falls foul of the formidable Joanna Lumley. After questioning Ms Lumley's long-term commitment to the Gurkhas, he's accused of smearing the former Avenger. Not wise. He's subjected to a torrent of abuse on Twitter, and issues an unreserved apology.
Tony Blair returns to Trimdon Labour Club to make a speech backing Gordon Brown. Most of the focus is on the depth of his tan, rather than the substance of his speech.
Nick Clegg visited Tyneside twice in April as support for his party surged.
We're off. The 2010 election is called, with May 6 confirmed as polling day at long last. John Prescott returns to the region as the first big-hitting visitor in his mini-bus, heading for the crucial battleground of Carlisle. I parade a fetching election-themed bag in Look North's coverage which leads to comparisons between myself and Dick Emery.
Nick Clegg decides to lovebomb the North East with two electioneering visits. His aides get their geography confused on the first though, relocating The Sage Gateshead to Newcastle. He gets prickly when asked about former Newcastle East candidate Greg Stone, but is also asked about his party's attitude to coalition. On his return his green credentials come under question as he jets in and out of Tyneside, and leaves his the engine of his campaign bus running during the entire visit.
My natty Election 2010 bag was THE fashion accessory in April.
Meanwhile, Mr Clegg's prefomance in the first two debates leads to a surge in Lib Dem support. One local newspaper poll predicts his party will win the City of Durham, Blaydon, three seats in Newcastle and even Hartlepool.
Labour turn to celebrities to rescue their ailing campaign. Eddie Izzard turns up in Durham, and the vicar from Emmerdale (!?) turns up almost anywhere he's asked to.
The National Union of Students arrive in Gateshead for their annual conference. One delegate tells me students prefer to exercise power through seats at the table rather than sit-ins these days!
forces the postponement of the election in Thirsk and Malton to after the election.
David Cameron catapults the region into the centre of the election campaign by telling Jeremy Paxman that the size of the public sector in the North East is "unsustainable". The Conservatives say he wants to see the private sector grow; Labour say it's clear he wants to cut jobs and services in the region. Mr Cameron arrives in Stockton to rubbish that idea.
The Tories do promise to reclassify the A1 north of Newcastle as a "road of national significance". They promise that could bring an upgrade closer, but don't promise an upgrade.
My attempt to introduce some Newcastle United supporters to the city's parliamentary candidates almost ends in a stand-up fight in one of the city's hostelries. Not between the politicians and fans who are well-behaved, but between me and a heckler!
I'm Richard Moss, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s Political Editor for the North East and Cumbria. Welcome to my irreverent - but hopefully insightful - northern take on reporting politics for Look North and the Politics Show.
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