My Day Twenty Five

It’s the final weekend of campaigning, so we have a busy few days ahead. Our early start on the train to Newcastle was lightened by the addition of Peter Mandelson to the travelling party. He’s always great fun to be around, and he’s incredibly passionate about the North East, having served as an MP there for many years. When we get off we are met on the platform by another huge champion for this part of the world – Chief Whip Nick Brown, who helps navigate us through the station when Gordon is mobbed by people wanting to shake his hand, give him a hug and pass on their best wishes for polling day.
 
Our first visit is to the biggest Tesco superstore imaginable in Kingston Park in Newcastle North. We were greeted by Labour’s candidate Catherine McKinnell and the store manager Marc Smith who took us around as we met shoppers and staff, many of whom called out their favourite thing that they appreciate about the Labour government – whether help for pensioners, Sure Start or jobs in the North east.
 
Then it was on to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland where I was presented with a fabulous blue glass vase which I will treasure as a campaign memento, and GB did a speech on the impact of our cultural sector on the economy. Labour’s creative industries manifesto includes a lot of great ideas to improve access to the arts and culture – but I think my favourite is the plan to give every child a lifetime membership of a library. My little ones have grown up with free museum entry and don’t know any different, but I still remember what a thrill it was when that policy was introduced and suddenly our nation’s culture really did feel like it belonged to all of us.  
 
Our final stop of the day was at Tynemouth on the coast- a popular holiday makers destination thanks to the beautiful view and nearby Whitley Bay. Lord M was obviously hoping GB would buy him an ice cream, but neither of us were in luck today because the crowds were too big and boisterous for us to be able to move! It is an exhilarating moment to be out in the fresh sea air and group hugged in such a big way – definitely one of my highlights of the week.
 
The journey back from the North East gives us a time to relax – which is just as well as I have just looked at the plan for our visits tomorrow. Not giving away any secrets, but it’s going to be a very busy day….