Cabinet set to arrive soon for North East visit

Oct 1 2009 by William Green, The Journal

GORDON Brown could soon bring his Cabinet to the North East, The Journal understands.

The news comes after the Prime Minister announced he will visit every region in the country as part of his latest political fightback launched at the Labour conference in Brighton.

The prospect of a regional Cabinet visit signals that the general election campaign is well under way, despite the poll not being expected until next May.

It comes as recent research claimed David Cameron’s Conservatives are now ahead of Labour in its traditional heartlands in the North of England – reversing a 19% lead enjoyed by Tony Blair in 2005.

Speaking exclusively to The Journal, Regional Minister Nick Brown said: “We have got the Cabinet coming to the North East. Gordon is a frequent visitor to the region.

“I am really looking forward to welcoming Gordon back to the North East. Clearly, we will get a significant visit in the near future.”

The Prime Minister said: “I want to get my policy across, I want to get round the country. I am going to be going round all the regions of the country in the next few weeks.”

Nick Brown, MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, added Labour had been re-energised by a successful conference in Brighton.

There was a great sense of comradeship and a “real determination” to stand up for Labour’s beliefs to fight against the Tories, he said.