2024 was a busy year for politics – but there's plenty to watch out for this year too
After a bumper year of elections which saw north-east England as a key battleground, what does 2025 hold for our region's political scene? With a new North East mayor and pivotal general election results, many are getting used to a new status quo. Some politicians across the spectrum of parties will be hoping for a more successful year, while others will want to hold on to positive momentum.
You'd be forgiven for expecting a year off elections after the busy year gone by, but the local elections cycle goes on – and it's a big year for two councils.
Northumberland and Durham are set for their all-out elections, as, unlike most councils in the North East which elect some councillors on rotation every year, voters elect all three of their individual councillors at once.
It means there's potential for dramatic changes in power, with every single councillor's job up for grabs in the same night, and if one party really nails it, they'll take control for the next four years.
There are more elections to look forward to in 2025
The Conservatives are hoping to hold on to control in Northumberland.
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson spent time last year campaigning as his party's candidate for North East Mayor.
Even after losing that election, he was optimistic about the Tories' chances in the council.
He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Really, the talk is about the government.
"The mood is very negative and people are looking for some opposition to things that Labour have brought in that they didn't expect them to.
"We'll be fighting with our own positive message, but we're not complacent in any way."
In Durham, the Liberal Democrats are seeking to defend their own leadership.
Councillor Amanda Hopgood took over as leader of the council by forming a coalition with other opposition parties when Labour failed to return a majority in 2021.
She's promised residents that, despite the looming election, the council coalition would still work across party lines to serve residents.
"It is still business as usual. We have a council to run, we have a budget to pass, services to deliver and ambitions to fulfil.
"I think May will throw up some surprises… I am optimistic because that opportunity is there for us to do well again."
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As for Labour, it's looking to defend North Tyneside, where voters will be choosing their mayor.
Another mayor?! Not to be confused with Kim McGuinness, the metropolitan mayor for the whole of the North East, the North Tyneside mayor is simply an elected leader of their individual council, acting underneath the combined authority.
The current North Tyneside Mayor, Dame Norma Redfearn, announced plans to step down after three successive terms in charge of the council.
Now Labour will be hoping it can hold onto power without the advantage of incumbency.
But will national issues foil Labour's local hopes?
Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody told the BBC: "I'm not going to say we haven't had a difficult six months.
"But what we saw with the last government was a government that was willing to make short term decisions not in the interests of the country.
"This government is a government willing to take short term unpopularity to make long term decisions in the interests of our country and our local communities."
Nigel Farage's Reform came second in 15 out of 20 Tyne and Wear constituencies
For all parties, there's an additional – and growing – force to be reckoned with in elections: Reform UK.
In the 2024 general election it came second in 15 of the 20 seats in the Tyne and Wear region, but fell short of claiming any victories.
It's been a tricky start to the year for Nigel Farage.
After some very public positioning, the leader's courtship of US tech billionaire Elon Musk was abruptly halted after he said on his social media site X Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the party.
This was rejected by the party's Sunderland organiser.
Farage is part of the Reform package, according to Chris Eynon.
"I'm a 100% team Nigel, as are all of our members.
"We saw an amazing shot in the arm when Nigel became leader. For every seat that is up for grabs in 2025 we will do our best to be there and contest it."
The Greens remain in contention too. They've made consistent gains in South Tyneside and broke through with two seats on Newcastle City Council for the first time in 2024.
For Green Party campaigners, the challenge comes in the fact that these local authorities don't have elections this year.
They'll be working hard to both expand their geographic reach – they do have one seat to defend in Durham – while maintaining momentum in their strongholds.
Let's also not forget the large number of independent candidates across our region – their individual local battles can often cause significant problems for what we might consider the big players.
Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer and will go head-to-head in the first Prime Minister's Question Time of the year later
Since taking office, the new Labour government has used one phrase particularly often: "Tough decisions."
Historic wins in areas like Northumberland saw a new batch of rural Labour MPs, who will undoubtedly already be feeling pressure after last year's decision to change the rules on inheritance tax for farmers.
Some of the most senior figures in the region, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell, have spent lots of energy defending their department's decision to remove VAT exemptions on private schools, which came into force in January.
We all know why Labour says these tough decisions were taken – the infamous black hole it claims was left from the previous government.
Of course the Tories deny that.
As for the positive message Labour wants to send, it's surprisingly clear thanks to a speech Starmer made in December. It announced six priorities, including putting more money back in the pockets of working people, reducing NHS waiting lists and recruiting more police officers.
Labour has promised to continue promoting devolution to regional mayors, such as Kim McGuinness
But there's a number of pressing local issues too.
The sudden closure of Gateshead Flyover and the ongoing work to restore the Tyne Bridge has renewed focus on the region's infrastructure.
With the previous government's levelling up bidding process now axed, many voters will want to see how our region can get the investment it needs to keep pace with the rest of the country.
McGuinness will undoubtedly play a key role in that, and Labour has promised to continue promoting devolution to regional mayors.
One perk we're already enjoying thanks to the mayor are bus fares cheaper than the government's recently raised £3 price cap.
North East passengers pay 50p less, and both local and national Labour figures are keen to see more control of the buses going to the mayor.
Locally, concerns around council finances could also continue to be a simmering issue, with more on this to be discussed on Sunday's BBC Politics North.
At midday on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch will go head-to-head in the first Prime Minister's Question Time of the year.
Whatever twists and turns face parties in and out of government this year, your local BBC team will be here to give you the latest information and analysis through it all.
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