IN this column yesterday, we called on local political leaders to put aside their party differences and to unite in the fight against latest austerity cuts which threaten to undermine the character of the historic market town of Darlington.

It is heartening to see that coming together last night, with Darlington Borough Council’s Conservative group leader Heather Scott pledging to join Labour leader Bill Dixon in lobbying the Government over the “unfair” distribution of public sector cuts.

We all know that Labour blames the David Cameron administration for overseeing a funding formula which discriminates against local authorities in the North.

And we all know that the Conservatives blame previous Labour governments for leaving Britain’s finances in a mess.

Those positions over who is to blame are firmly fixed, but the priority now is to look to the future and save as much as possible from the wreckage.

That has to start with cross-party representations to Local Government Minister – and Teessider – Greg Clark about the disproportionate impact of austerity on the North compared to the South.

Councillor Scott is a loyal, veteran Conservative who has given great service to her party and her local community – and it speaks volumes if she believes the distribution of cuts is unfair.

With Stockton Borough Council yesterday announcing a further £21m of cuts, the pain is being felt across the region and we call on politicians of all colours to follow Darlington’s refreshing cross-party lead.

Party political loyalties have to be put to one side in the interests of campaigning for a fairer deal for the north – before it is too late and the fabric of our local communities has been eroded.