The Northern Echo | Opinion https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/ The Northern Echo Opinion en-gb Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:05:59 +0100 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:05:59 +0100 https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/rss/terms/ M6 toby.granville@newsquest.co.uk (Toby Granville) webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk (Tim Joy) https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/sitelogoalt/?type=rsslogo The Northern Echo | Opinion https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/ Government is right for many reasons to allow Jackdaw gas drilling to go ahead https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26658577.echo-comment-government-allows-gas-extraction-jackdaw/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 ff50ab05a507b34130c4e5d54026940d Echo Comment Bishop Auckland Hospital needs more services, not another ward moved away https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26647406.bishop-auckland-hospital-ward-move-criticised-resident/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 d3ae2634a4a0c1d322f563eae917ff5b Reader's letter Durham PCC Joy Allen urges ministers to follow Northern Ireland driving reforms https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26648958.joy-allen-backs-graduated-licensing-rise-young-driver-deaths/?ref=rss Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 3250b4117b019d39942607085964ded4 PCC Joy Allen It's not just business crying out for help in Budget: charities are also struggling https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26651049.echo-comment-run-up-john-healeys-first-budget/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 d29c0bf516439dd15360d04c55e1b9bd Echo Comment 'Why can't the next success story be you?' How adult learning can change lives https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26640952.bishop-auckland-college-principal-adult-learning-matters/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 40b15e877dfda4c8b78bdb4b01eff726 andrew.white@nne.co.uk | Andrew White Labour should heed the warning from voters after dramatic surge in Green support https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26647381.labour-warned-green-surge-holborn-st-pancras/?ref=rss Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 0a39052279abdcd6f552b62089696865 Reader's letter How a First World War watch led to a British Empire Medal for County Durham man https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26637833.first-world-war-watch-leads-honour-durham-castle/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 b1b0992f7b092aca9f57f2eec3088a29 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron ‘The end is nigh’ for much-loved County Durham club unless people return https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26641624.bearpark-working-mens-club-member-fears-future/?ref=rss Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 3aa8eab2b54fa12ffd485dd57240ad9a Reader's letter I was in Leiria with Sunderland - and it turned out to be the perfect European trip https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26642913.sunderlands-time-leiria-perfect-european-away-trip/?ref=rss Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0100 d79cea0282a52a1d457a6d5b239b528a scott.wilson@nne.co.uk | Scott Wilson 'We are battling Labour on plans to house illegal immigrants in County Durham homes' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26637250.andrew-husband-bringing-billions-investment-county-durham/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 fbaed289d369209057dc939f1a2ce068 Andrew Husband Welcoming a second review of the combined authority: it must clear the air https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26640737.echo-comment-new-best-value-inspection-tees-valley/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 d337b088d07a6d30b96c796b47ef663a Echo Comment County Durham writer backs stricter fireworks controls to protect communities and pets https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26636485.county-durham-writer-backs-stricter-uk-firework-controls/?ref=rss Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 41eebfb69980e97330f44cc7871a163e Reader's letter Trump's AI tiger video shows callous lack of judgement https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26637434.echo-comment-trump-posts-ai-video-wrestling-tiger/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 e35bd268d4a2711a365eb863eac9cd0f Echo Comment Couple in their 90s face huge care bill after lifetime of 'paying their dues' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26630125.writer-hits-cost-care-elderly-couple-90s/?ref=rss Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 df6250e15ffab01add1033587c18c596 Reader's letter Is Hope Moor windfarm too far and too massive for one of the last wildernesses? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26629960.botham-leads-opposition-23-turbine-hope-moor-plan/?ref=rss Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 da0cdfb2190f8d2fef70882e5aa3c8fd Echo Comment Blair's closure deserves dignity, not political point-scoring over Darlington Market https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26630104.darlington-market-closure-not-politicised-writer-says/?ref=rss Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 745e2c7b5feb46507e06432be18b8595 Reader's letter Only a public inquiry can give women the answers they deserve over breast care https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26627800.public-inquiry-needed-county-durham-darlington-breast-care/?ref=rss Mon, 12 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 6c45b4eadbeec86c93dc80236ed1b7e0 Gavin Foster US bombers should leave Britain for good and take nuclear weapons with them https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26626486.darlington-writer-calls-us-bombers-nuclear-weapons-leave-uk/?ref=rss Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 d3edeaab733864879893c392db999f19 Reader's letter The County Durham miner who fought for workers' rights and whose voice lives on today https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26614233.thomas-hepburn-county-durham-miner-fought-workers-rights/?ref=rss Sun, 11 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 bcfecc4c37b4da7fc6305de641706322 Alfie Joey PCC Joy Allen vows to tackle illegal off-road bike menace https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26621476.pcc-joy-allen-calls-action-illegal-off-road-bikes/?ref=rss Sun, 11 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 6611a59f6a1d1dbb20c3a865f0ed39e4 PCC Joy Allen Feeling the October slump? Simple ways to boost your energy as darker days arrive https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26614046.graham-low-shares-tips-beat-october-energy-slump/?ref=rss Sun, 11 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 9453c984fc7c9f91928afa7d13e0874d ashley.barnard@nqyne.co.uk | Ashley Barnard The end of a fruitful era as Darlington's best-known market stall closes for good https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26623525.end-era-darlingtons-best-known-market-stall-closes/?ref=rss Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 1028bdfe2ac6cb4608927490fa184fc8 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron ‘Basic research’ would reveal real reason behind Britain’s high energy prices https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26624459.durham-writer-challenges-darren-grimes-uk-energy-costs/?ref=rss Sat, 10 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 465cc5fad71457c54516cb22579a8c2b Reader's letter Boro's Legacy Game was brilliant - but this is what a real legacy would look like https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26621783.can-boro-celebrate-anniversary-season-style-winning-promotion/?ref=rss Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 914f88c1fc814ff4c3452add795c9d56 scott.wilson@nne.co.uk | Scott Wilson ‘Phew!’ What filling up the petrol tank made me remember about the swinging sixties https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26617126.petrol-prices-leave-writer-reminiscing-life-1960s/?ref=rss Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 f9dcd346760e446831be761ea27d3a3c Reader's letter Sad day for Darlington as 151-year-old JJ Blair & Sons stall closes https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26624324.echo-comment-closure-blairs-stall-darlington-covered-market/?ref=rss Fri, 09 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0100 ea10b730e6299358700f752c911f1b36 Echo Comment The horrors in Ukraine seem to be fading from our front pages https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26620636.echo-comment-worsening-war-ukraine/?ref=rss Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:30:00 +0100 7cf8090299ce3310e4c5cc2f87a1e203 Echo Comment Why are we importing fuel when North Sea oil and gas is still there, asks writer https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26615681.north-sea-oil-gas---writer-questions-uk-energy-policy/?ref=rss Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 953301282c5cd64ae18618842676dfb4 Reader's letter Kemi Badenoch rejects Reform deal as Conservatives return to traditional ground https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26616967.echo-comment-kemi-badenochs-speech-end-conference/?ref=rss Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:30:00 +0100 9f71ff5e53854c93fefa7a3a1c99afba Echo Comment Britain needs a new direction - but returning to the EU is not the answer https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26611277.britain-needs-change-returning-eu-not-answer/?ref=rss Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 ae3671bbbcae830457550192098ad887 Reader's letter An inquest needs to find whether Angela, and the rest of us, were properly protected https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26613270.echo-comment-inquest-examine-angela-lloyds-death/?ref=rss Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:30:00 +0100 6f24968ca4dc5468b3c27af0d36a4229 Echo Comment Government must look closer to home before inflicting more pain on businesses https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26611026.government-urged-cut-costs-hitting-businesses/?ref=rss Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100 84e4f67a191c2301f28db7d54d35f4f8 Reader's letter Darlington man calls for answers over assets linked to historic cricket ground https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26605304.darlington-man-seeks-answers-feethams-cricket-field-trust/?ref=rss Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 5fd0fe943d21634300adc7d09412d9c9 Reader's letter Nigel Farage - What my Reform government would do in its first 100 days https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26604560.nigel-farage-sets-reform-uks-first-100-days-government/?ref=rss Mon, 05 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 8f97fed65ec072855385240ef238b938 Nigel Farage Nissan invests £170m in Sunderland plant as Bluebird marks 40 years of production https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26602367.nissan-invests-170m-sunderland-plant-new-hybrid/?ref=rss Sun, 04 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 654c6869050c25a7fb5b8c1d77f6551c Alfie Joey Scrapping migrant deal shows Government has ‘no real strategy’ https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26604428.government-criticised-uk-france-migrant-deal-scrapped/?ref=rss Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 35f487e175424dc9e8a7f82e8951e0a7 Reader's letter How reporting crime helps police protect communities in Durham - PCC Joy Allen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26601055.joy-allen-urges-durham-residents-report-crime/?ref=rss Sun, 04 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100 35f7bba8c1fd1a4d0b250312c6e4efdd PCC Joy Allen Why wait until January? Small October changes could boost your health by Christmas https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26594518.starting-health-kick-october-better-now/?ref=rss Sun, 04 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0100 fee86c6d7cebcba388b854dfff0dffa7 Graham Low 85-year wait ends as forgotten RAF squadrons finally honoured at wartime base https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26596829.heroes-honoured-last-site-raf-middleton-st-george/?ref=rss Sat, 03 Oct 2026 05:30:00 +0100 842a49129467e5edbc5012914681525b peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron Could the humble wallflower help cut diesel costs and boost the British economy? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26604353.darlington-man-asks-bio-diesel-help-cut-uk-fuel-costs/?ref=rss Sat, 03 Oct 2026 09:08:24 +0100 46d382afb3962afa66308e7083f7f2a6 Reader's letter What happens next if Sunderland were 'cheated' out of 2014 League Cup by Man City https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26601049.sunderland-cheated-league-cup-man-city-2014/?ref=rss Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:45:53 +0100 3bcd0565b34295d4e392c2a0e1c06c5a scott.wilson@nne.co.uk | Scott Wilson Hospital parking system leaves patient facing £70 charge despite paying to park https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26600949.friarage-hospital-patient-faces-70-parkingeye-charge-despite-paying/?ref=rss Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:25:46 +0100 3be56a4988d468fe03a4edaf720e11f1 Reader's letter Darlington Dolphin Centre's mixed sex changing facilities branded 'irresponsible' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26594144.safety-concerns-raised-darlington-dolphin-centre-changing-rooms/?ref=rss Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:00:00 +0100 a68266f427cc65967c8ef76eabb44aa4 Reader's letter Man City must face the harshest sanctions as quickly as possible https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26595801.echo-comment-man-city-found-guilty-financial-cheating/?ref=rss Wed, 30 Sep 2026 19:30:00 +0100 f98eba1666bf3481e755ea80c13b9b7e Echo Comment Burnham's passionate debut and enticing view of the future – but what about today? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26592762.echo-comment-burnhams-passionate-debut-speech-labour-leader/?ref=rss Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:30:00 +0100 ff935d0024f511dbe64ed79f55e32f35 Echo Comment Diesel hits 199.18p as Burnham’s upbeat first year faces reality https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26588984.echo-comment-ahead-burnhams-first-conference-speech-leader/?ref=rss Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:27:01 +0100 25c6602a21f8e77dea660dcb2fd5c526 Echo Comment Why I am investing in a safer County Durham countryside - PCC Joy Allen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26581590.pcc-joy-allen-explains-county-durham-rural-crime-strategy/?ref=rss Sun, 27 Sep 2026 05:29:00 +0100 d942094b2292fa2fa3c3c53924365da9 PCC Joy Allen The dancing mum at the heart of a £20m campaign to change lives in Darlington https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26572174.mum-driving-20m-life-changing-campaign-darlington/?ref=rss Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0100 971820545ed1c9d30ab74da1d71f1cc8 peter.barron@nne.co.uk | Peter Barron What Thomas Tuchel has to do different if England are to learn from Argentina defeat https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26580325.thomas-tuchel-must-learn-englands-loss-argentina/?ref=rss Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0100 1b3eee1f2c19bde7e4067c448eebe095 scott.wilson@nne.co.uk | Scott Wilson Backing the £20m campaign to be put pride back into our precious places https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26583150.darlington-gets-20m-pride-place-funding-decade/?ref=rss Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:30:00 +0100 39efee9083521d2b93f415ca56d2dc30 Echo Comment