Blyth & Ashington Conservatives

10/10/2026

❌ THE IRONY IS HARD TO MISS

On 16 January 2025, Northumberland Labour proudly welcomed the Minister for the Future of Roads to Blyth. Their post was full of optimism, big promises and talk of a bright future for transport in our area.

Fast forward to October 2026, and the Government has confirmed it will not fund the £55 million Blyth Relief Road.

Let’s look back at what was said.

🔴 “Exciting government investments”

We were told to look forward to exciting investment in our roads. Yet one of the biggest proposed transport improvements for Blyth has now been left without the Government funding needed to deliver it. What happened to that excitement?

🔴 “The Blyth Relief Road”

The relief road was discussed during that ministerial visit. It was presented as part of the future of transport in our area. Now, Blyth is left asking what that visit actually achieved if the Government is unwilling to fund the very project being discussed.

🔴 “A game-changer for the area”

Labour themselves described the relief road as a potential game-changer. They recognised the importance of tackling congestion and supporting Blyth’s future. Those challenges haven’t disappeared, but the funding needed to deliver this scheme has.

🔴 “Fostering a dynamic partnership with the government”

We were told that working together with Labour in Government, a Labour Mayor and Labour MPs would help unlock investment. Yet, despite that political alignment, the relief road has not secured the Government funding it needs. That raises a fair question: what has this partnership actually delivered for this project?

🔴 “A united force for progress in Northumberland”

Unity is easy to talk about when announcing ambitions. The real test comes when difficult decisions have to be made. With the relief road now facing an uncertain future, Blyth deserves answers from everyone involved about what happens next.

🔴 “Labour is investing in our roads”

That was the message in January 2025. In October 2026, the Government’s message on the Blyth Relief Road is that it will not provide the funding. Blyth wants to see congestion tackled and this is a serious setback.

09/10/2026

⛔️ Blyth Relief Road: Government funding cancelled by Labour. ⛔️

NCC understands government ministers have told North East Mayor Kim McGuinness they will not fund the Blyth Relief Road.

The £55m project which is one of Transport for the North’s top priorities was to be fully funded by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Government. Now the funding is gone and Andy Burnham has become the latest Labour PM to cancel funding for a major road project after Keir Starmer did exactly the same in 2024 with the dualling of the A1.

Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council Richard Wearmouth said “What is it with Labour Prime Ministers that the first thing they do when they take office is cancel funding for major road projects in Northumberland! First the A1 with Starmer now the Blyth Relief Road with Burnham.

“Our county has now seen over half a billion pounds in roads funding cancelled by Labour. Sadly it confirms when it comes to investment in “the north” Andy Burnham thinks the north starts and ends in Manchester.

“What next? Well as we always do we will work with Mayor McGuinness to see if we can somehow make this project work with regional funding, we don’t give up without a fight. But this cannot go on. Time after time Labour MPs sit back and do nothing as Northumberland get a raw deal from their own government. They vote through budgets that hurt Northumberland then wring their hands saying how terrible it is. It’s pathetic and it has to stop.”

01/10/2026

🗳️ POLLING DAY - HIRST

🔵 Today is polling day in the Hirst County Council by-election

🔵 Polling stations are open 7am–10pm. If you are registered to vote, this is your opportunity to have your say on who represents Hirst on Northumberland County Council.

📍 Check your polling information before heading out.
🪪 Remember your accepted photo ID.
⏰ Polls close at 10pm.

🔵 Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the campaign and spoken to the candidates over the past few weeks.

🔵 VOTE CONSERVATIVE! 🔵

27/09/2026

23/09/2026

💙 The Northumberland Line, the next chapter

There’s some really exciting news for the future of the Northumberland Line.

Glen Sanderson has recently announced that the intention is for planning applications for the next phase of the line towards Woodhorn and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to be submitted in autumn 2027.

This would be a huge step forward for communities along the coast and would build on what we’ve already achieved with the reopening of the Northumberland Line.

The line has already transformed connectivity for Blyth, Newsham, Ashington and surrounding communities. Extending it further towards Woodhorn and Newbiggin would open up even more opportunities for residents to access jobs, education, healthcare and our wider regional economy.

Importantly, these future stations are already safeguarded within Northumberland’s planning framework, which identifies Woodhorn and Newbiggin as future-phase potential stations.

There’s still a long way to go between planning applications and passengers actually boarding a train, but getting to the point of submitting planning applications would be a significant milestone.

The Northumberland Line is already changing our communities and its story isn’t finished yet. 🚆💙

19/09/2026

💙 Conservatives deliver real change

🚆 The Northumberland Line has transformed connectivity across our area, giving people better access to jobs, education and opportunities.

🎬 The new cinema and wider town centre investment will help bring new life and activity into Ashington.

🏗️ Regeneration and infrastructure investment are continuing to reshape Ashington and create opportunities for the future.

And we’re not stopping here.

Hirst deserves ambition. Ashington deserves investment. And our residents deserve councillors who “turn up” and get on with the job.

That’s the Conservative approach: listen, work hard and deliver real change. 💙

19/09/2026

I WONDER WHY 💷

Northumberland councillor John Allen is standing again after losing the seat for not going to council meetings

17/09/2026

We have been out speaking to residents in Hirst every day and we are hearing the same issues come up.

One issue we have heard is the amount of anti social behaviour linked to motorbikes and e-scooters which are making residents scared to use Hirst park.

In other parts of the county, Conservative councillors have:
✅️ Funded additional CCTV
✅️ Worked on joint initiatives with Northumbria Police

If elected in Hirst on 1st October we would follow suit and work with Northumbria Police to ensure Hirst Park was safe for all residents.

This post from Northumbria Police highlights some of the work being done to tackle this issue.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GWL4dLhbr/https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GWL4dLhbr/

16/09/2026

Petrol & diesel push UK inflation to 3.1%

US central banks raises interest rates for the first time in 3 years.

Two headlines today which make for concerning reading. Oil & gas are driving inflation and the Labour government are doing nothing to end our reliance on foreign nations.

The Conservative party would;

✅️End Labour’s ban on new oil and gas licences and maximise extraction from the North Sea
✅️Strengthen energy security by boosting domestic supply and reducing dependence on foreign energy
✅️Scrap the mandate forcing manufacturers to produce electric vehicles and end Labour’s 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars
✅️Repeal the Energy Profits Levy backing our energy industry to create jobs and growth
✅️Reverse Labour's planned 5p hike to fuel duty
✅️Cut the rising cost of electricity, we will implement our Cheap Power Plan, saving the average family £200 a year on electricity bills and deliver major savings for businesses