麻豆官网首页入口

As part of our coverage of 100 seats in the 100 days before the election, Sarah Montague has been to Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, and South Shields to speak to people about what they want from the next government.

Hilton Dawson, chairman of the North East party is one of many people that say they feel ignored by politicians in London.

"The chancellor of the exchequer believes that the north is somewhere between Leeds and Manchester, that's 100 miles to the south of where we are here," he said.

Last year, seven of the region's local authorities combined to create a new legal body, the North East Combined Authority, which hopes to persuade the government to give them more power. Chairman Simon Henig is calling for a programme of devolution of power to the North East.

It's about "being able to spend more money locally and regionally, that currently is determined nationally", he said.

Others, including Graham Robb, chairman of the Institute of Directors North East, are keen for any devolution to be relevant.

"We don't want power for power's sake," he said.

Show less