We deserve fair warning

The Labour spring conference at The Sage Gateshead, is a fabulous showcase for a rejuvenated conurbation which will bring millions into the local economy.

Unless, of course, you happen to be a commuter or small business steamrollered by the juggernaut of security that will surround next month's event.

We understand, of course, the need for the highest security given the visit of so many members of Government. But this event has been in the diary many months - a little warning to the tens of thousands of people who must cross the Tyne every day as part of their daily lives.

The Journal has obtained a list of the roads to be closed in and around the Sage and Hilton hotel. This was not a coup of investigative journalism to rank alongside Watergate, we are sorry to report - the list was sent to hundreds of residents and businesses in the immediate area.

Why then, has Northumbria Police not released these details to the rest of the North-East's population? It is manifestly not a threat to national security to do so or the details would not be out there at all.

And yet the force has refused to discuss its plans until next week at the earliest. Had it not been for this paper we would all still be in the dark.

The official reason we have been given is that, had the information been issued too early then we would have all "forgotten" it by the time the Labour Party rolled into town.

How much intelligence do the police credit flustered commuters with?

May we suggest another strategy: Letting the public know early about road closures would allow businesses to re-organise deliveries, and commuters to make arrangements for childcare or flexible working to avoid the worst jams. And that's good for everybody.

Warned of the lockdown at the last minute we have one suggestion to readers: Leave town early for the weekend ... and stay away.

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Could coal cash be better spent?

If the Government is paying UK Coal a small fortune to keep pits open, then it seems fair to enquire why the company has closed so many, Ellington in Northumberland being only the latest.

On the one hand, we are entitled to know UK Coal did everything within its power and finances to keep the industry alive.

On the other, if the battle was always futile, then it is equally valid to ask why the money wasn't directed towards regeneration instead. The Ashington area will need that kind of support now.

Sadly, we suspect, the Government did not really care that much how the cash it advanced UK Coal was spent.

Since 1997 Labour ministers have never given any indication of having a strategy for coal, other than dipping into treasury funds every so often to kid backbenchers from mining constituencies into believing they still cared.

The result has been enough cash to keep the pits limping on, but no more.

The truth is Michael Heseltine finally ripped the heart out of mining in the early 90s and Labour has never had the conviction to find a new way ahead, or the courage to turn round to its traditional voters and declare the industry dead.

Perhaps it would have been better for Ellington - if not good new Labour politics - to have steered a course for the future years ago.

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