News Guardian Articles - Alan Campbell MP for Tynemouth

We will remember them

The British Legion Poppy Appeal was launched last week and, like everything else, it has had to adapt to the Covid crisis. There’ll be fewer volunteers doing face to face collections and whilst supermarkets and other outlets may still take part, most donations will probably be made online. Wearing a…

Covid Inquiry – Not if, when

I am increasingly being asked whether or not there should be a public inquiry into the handling of the COVID19 pandemic. I have consistently agreed there should. Ministers convene inquiries and they are rare. They look at what has happened, why it happened and who was to blame. Crucially its…

Test and trace not yet fit for purpose

When one of my constituents needed a COVID test for her daughter, she had to go to Blyth to get one. Unable to drive and unable to a use taxi or bus, she walked. Whitley Bay to Blyth is 13 miles, there and back. That vividly illustrates the problems which…

Internal Market Bill

On the same day the Home Secretary castigated law breakers as a threat to all, her Government introduced a Bill which by their own admission breaks the law. The Internal Market Bill would allow the Government to unilaterally alter the Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the Withdrawal Agreement. It is…

Fisheries Bill

The Commons returned this week with the dawning realisation that the deadline for a Brexit deal is looming. First item of business was the Fisheries Bill which creates a framework for the UK fishing industry once we have left the Common Fisheries Policy. There’s actually a lot of agreement about…

Exam result fiasco

With some of the best schools in the country we’ve become used to local students getting good A level results, This year’s results came as something of a shock. the COVID-19 pandemic had created exceptional circumstances with schools closing and summer exams cancelled. Grades were to be determined by a…

Decrease in police numbers worrying

As a former Home Office Minister I take a particular interest in the levels and causes of crime. It was interesting then to see the impact of the pandemic especially when the economy and society in general was locked down. There was further evidence of rising crime this week with an NFU Mutual report showing…

Battle over Trade Bill

This week saw the latest stage in an important battle raging in Westminster. It is between the Government led by a Prime Minister with a cavalier attitude towards accountability and a Parliament puritanically keen to defend its rights. It emerged earlier this week when Parliament debated the Trade Bill. The Bill allows…

Chancellor announces new measures to help economy

All eyes this week were on the Chancellor as he announced measures to address what he called a “profound economic challenge”. Many of the measures are welcome but the real test is whether they will overcome the lack of confidence people have about going out again. The “psychological security” he…

Calls for an emergency budget

With lockdown easing, there is much talk at Westminster of an emergency budget before the summer. When it happens it needs three priorities – jobs, jobs and jobs. Unemployment doubled in my constituency during April and May and when furlough ends it’s likely to go up even faster. Furlough and Government business grants have been crucial for…

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