May 2 gives us an opportunity for change in region

AS a Member of Parliament, I am always eager to stand up for the views of the constituents I represent in the House of Commons, and the best way to do that is by talking directly to the voters themselves.

It’s not everyone’s vision of an ideal Saturday, but there are few aspects of the job that I enjoy more than standing on a resident’s doorstep and listening to their views and concerns. It gives me a real sense of purpose. It’s an opportunity to provide advice and assistance to individual families who need it, but just as importantly, it tells me what is important to local communities – and that helps me do my job better.

Over the last year and a half, the same thing keeps coming up on doorsteps: “When are you going to get this lot out?”.

Call it political, but an overwhelming amount of people aren’t happy with this current Government, and the polling figures for the Prime Minister are even worse. That is why I know many people will have been dismayed at the news that Rishi Sunak won’t hold a General Election on May 2.

As voters cry out for change, the Prime Minister holds on, clinging to whatever he can as his party look for ways to oust him and replace him with the third unelected Prime Minister in as many years.

But in the North East, a general election is not the only opportunity we have to vote for change. In May, people will go to the polls for the first time to vote for a North East Mayor. It is an opportunity to elect someone to make decisions for the North East, and in the North East.

The word “devolution” might not inspire thoughts of groundbreaking change. But it only takes a glance at Manchester’s new Bee Bus Network, or the brand-new unit to tackle violence against women and girls in West Yorkshire, to know its value. Labour mayors have been demonstrating the value of devolution in every part of the country, and that is why your vote in May is crucial. Labour’s candidate for North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness,

has already established herself as someone who puts the region first. Her work as Police and Crime Commissioner, and latterly as a portfolio holder on Newcastle City Council, has always been about fighting for our local communities – and that is exactly what people in the North East deserve.

Our region is full of beauty, culture, pride and history. A Mayor who champions every aspect of this legacy can help secure the North East’s place on the world stage, and that is exactly what Kim plans to do.

On the key issues that constituents regularly contact me about, Kim has a plan:

Kim will ensure that we have a publicly controlled public transport that works for passengers, not profits, infrastructure that meets the demand in our area and improved rail and metro services.

Our high streets desperately need support, and Kim will launch a High Streets Commission so that the centres of our communities can be reimagined by the people who live there.

As mayor, Kim will work to build an economy fit for the future, working with businesses to ensure that everyone has access to a wellpaid green job - from those building the next generation of green and affordable housing in our region, to those creating a new era of clean power and manufacturing on our rivers and ports.

But our economy will be inclusive too. Kim will measure our region’s success by how many children we lift out of poverty. This number has grown dramatically since 2010, the Tory Government have lain idle.

A Labour Mayor will work to ensure that everyone in the North East can have the best possible start and opportunities they deserve.

Those people I meet on the doorsteps may have to wait a while longer for the General Election they so desperately want, but on May 2 there is a real opportunity for change in the North East.

A Labour Mayor working alongside Labour-run councils will deliver that change.

■ Liz Twist is the Labour MP for Blaydon.