Many thanks for re-electing me as the MP for Blaydon. It's a great privilege to be allowed to represent the interests of all the great communities across my constituency. I promise to represent everyone, however they voted.
I would have preferred Labour to have been re-elected but that wasn't to be. I hope that history is kind to Gordon Brown for his tremendous work in improving public services in 13 years and for preventing a global recession turning into a global depression.
I shall play an active part in the process of recharging Labour's batteries and electing a new leader although it's too soon to say which candidate will get my support - it depends on what they have to offer.
I have to accept the reality of working with a new administration. Just because Labour is no longer in office won't stop me from lobbying ministers to adopt my ideas and that of many local and national voluntary and charitable groups. I will certainly keep pushing for justice for those with pleural plaques.
But I will also be keeping a beady eye on what ministers get up to. I am very worried that they will take a blunt axe to services and jobs on which local people depend. The threat to plans to refurbish local schools is a sad sign of things to come.
The Conservatives failed to win a mandate for the deep cuts they suggested. I accept that we have to tighten our belts but we should do so in a way that is fair to hard working people and the vulnerable in our society. I will emphasise the need for tax reform before cutting the public sector. We need to do more to stop tax evasion by big companies and their bosses. I also think that the banks should pay more for the crisis their greed created.
I look forward to these challenges and would encourage local people and organisations to work with me in taking our communities forward in tough times.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |