Bolton is not near Sunderland

An excellent spot from Political Scrapbook, and a classic explanation of the Tory Northern problem in the house from Chloe Smith – something which I’ll return to tomorrow.

Bolton, incidentally, is 140 miles from Sunderland. I know. I’ve driven it. It’s not near.

Tags: Chloe Smith / Tory Northern Problem /

Mark Ferguson

Mark Ferguson is the Labour MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham, and was the editor of LabourList from 2010 to 2015.

View all articles by Mark Ferguson

‘A new politics needs more than a new voting system’

“I want to underpin our plan for Britain with a new politics”, the Prime Minister said in his…

Ryan Swift

7th October, 2026, 6:00 am

News

Good growth in every postcode 7th October 2026

Andy Burnham’s pledge to the country is “good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart”. What…

Paul Dimoldenberg

7th October, 2026, 6:00 am

Comment

‘Labour must take urgent action to reduce business energy bills’

If you speak to any business across the country, there is one issue that keeps coming up: the…

Allison Gardner MP

7th October, 2026, 6:00 am

Mark Ferguson

More from LabourList