Campaign wins praise in Lords and Commons

Feb 7 2009 by William Green, The Journal

THE Think North East First campaign has been praised in Parliament for raising “hope and optimism” by showing how the region can help itself through the recession.

The Journal’s campaign is highlighting how just small changes you make to your spending habits have the potential to have a huge impact on the economy of the region.

And now Tory peer Michael Bates has praised the campaign during a debate about the economy in the House of Lords, while Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith has tabled a Commons motion backing the Think North East First message.

Lord Bates said the country had experienced “tough times” in the past, including the Great Depression and two world wars, but come through them as it would with the latest economic crisis.

But he stressed the need for leadership as had been delivered by new American president Barack Obama to lift people’s spirits.

“An initiative has been taken by a regional newspaper in the North East of England, The Journal. Again, it does not cost billions of pounds. It is just called “Think North East First”.

“No, it is not a call to protectionism; it is simply saying: think about what you can do locally,” said the peer, who was MP for the Teesside seat of Langbaurgh in the 1990s.

He added it showed people could do things to help the local economy by supporting local businesses, from food to holidays, paying debts to local suppliers on time and encouraging the public sector to ensure it focused its procurement towards the region.

“All of those are good, healthy things. Not only do they help local businesses and the local economy, they help the spirit of hope and optimism that we can do something, that sense of community, the sense that we are in this together and can come out of this together stronger.

“We need that sense of hope and optimism, which David Cameron has referred to, that sense of a vision for how the economy can be restructured, but also a sense of reality to come through to our consumers through initiatives such as Think North East First, practical self-help promotion, optimism-led initiatives.

“They would do companies and individuals a huge amount of good in the present straitened times,” said Lord Bates.

Further support for the campaign has also come from a Commons motion being tabled by Sir Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick, with support from Labour MPs Dave Anderson and Stephen Hepburn.

The motion welcomes The Journal’s campaign and highlights how the North East is rich in companies offering good quality goods and services.

And the Early Day Motion backs local and regional efforts to promote the region and its economy – and urges people to support North East businesses.

Sir Alan Beith said: “This is a way of giving national recognition to a campaign, which will help the North and I hope many MPs will add their support.”

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson said: “The Journal is on the button with this campaign and all power to its elbow. We can all help ourselves and our neighbours by buying locally wherever possible.”

William Green