January Get-Together

Ian Mearns MP is organising a get-together for members of Gateshead Labour Party to meet up. It’s a good chance to recharge the batteries before the local election campaigns start in earnest.

It’s at the Gateshead Corporation Club (the Bin-Men’s club), 346-357 Alexandra Rd, NE8 4HX. It’s on Friday 27th January and will start at 7.30pm and run until till 11pm.

There will be a light buffet and the usual activities at Labour party events – raffles, quiz’s, and so on. Entrance is £3 (profits donated to Gateshead CLP). Pay on the door.

Contact Ian Mearns for more details.

January’s Parliamentary Report

Every month our local MP reports back to party members on his activities. Ian Mearns’ Parliamentary Report from 12 January 2012 is now available on our website.

Topics covered this month include the launch of Virgin Money and the Government’s decision to slash Feed-In Tariffs for solar panels.

Made in Dagenham

Blaydon Women’s Forum have organised a viewing of Made in Dagenham, a dramatisation of the  1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant where female workers walked out when they discovered they were being paid less than equivalent male workers. It ultimately led to the historic Equal Pay Act of 1970.

The film will be shown at 7.30pm at Gateshead’s Old Town Hall in the town centre. For further details please contact Helen Hughes

August’s Parliamentary Report

Every month our local MP reports back to party members on his activities. Ian Mearns’ Parliamentary Report from 1 September 2011 is now available on our website.

Topics covered this month include constituency visits, the boundary review and local campaigning.

New constituencies proposed: changes in Gateshead

As part of the coalition agreement between the Tories and Lib Dems, the Boundary Commission for England  have been asked to reduce the number of constituencies in England. They have radically redrawn the parliamentary map in Tyneside, with major implications for local representation in traditional communities. It will make MPs more remote from their constituents, and while the Government claimed they were doing it to save money, the cost of this pointless disruption will be immense.

Like most seats, the existing Gateshead seat will cease to exist. A new Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency will include four wards from the existing Gateshead seat: Chowdene, Felling, High Fell, and Windy Nook and Whitehills.

Blaydon constituency will also be abolished, and five Blaydon wards and six Gateshead wards will be joined together to make a new Gateshead West constituency. The six wards from Gateshead CLP will be Bridges; Deckham; Dunston and Teams; Lobley Hill and Bensham; Low Fell and Saltwell.

Full details are available here and there is also a map. This is a consultation, so there is a chance these proposals may change.

Fundraiser of the Year

Congratulations to long-serving Gateshead Labour Party member Norman Lakey, who received the ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ award at Labour North members’ Awards Dinner 2011. South Shields MP David Miliband presented Norman with the award.

Members Awards Dinner 2011 with David Miliband MP

Friday 9th September, Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Tickets are now available for Labour North’s annual Members Awards Dinner. Their Gala Dinner earlier this year sold out quickly, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

This is a great tradition in the North, and is an excellent opportunity for CLPs and MPs to recognise the hard work and commitment of members for their work throughout the year, especially at the General Election and this year’s Local Elections. Tickets are £30 each or £300 for a table of 10. Guests will enjoy a drinks reception and canapés, a superb 3 course menu, plus coffee and wine. David Miliband MP will be presenting members with their Awards.

Nominations and booking should be made by Tuesday 16th August at the latest. Click here to nominate online and to download booking and nominations forms.

For more information, contact Labour North on 0191 2465276 or email north@new.labour.org.uk