Yvonne Wancke

Editor at North East Bylines

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Articles

Choose Europe: welcoming EU leaders to the UK

3 weeks ago | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

A group of campaigners from a range of pro-European organisations and groups plan to show a warm welcome to EU leaders at the EU – UK summit at Downing Street on Monday. Keir Starmer has said of the meeting:“I’m ambitious about what we can achieve there. I want a closer relationship on security, on defence, on trade and on the economy. The mindset is important and this is, I think, a shared approach.
In conversation with Will Hutton

2 months ago | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

It was a real delight to get to meet and interview the acclaimed journalist, economist, and writer, Will Hutton, at the end of last week. Will met Ben Dickenson managing director of the Bylines Network, and me on a zoom session, for a chat about current politics, economics, and journalism. We couldn’t resist – the first question had to be about Will’s take on Trump’s tariffs.
Born to rule: book review

Nov 2, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke |Peter Morris

People in the North East, especially its politicians and media, complain often and understandably that the region lies at or near the bottom of national league tables in a wide range of areas that really matter – employment, educational attainment and healthy life expectancy, to name but three.
Does ‘Let Women Speak’ speak for all women?

Oct 20, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

Last weekend saw a rally organised by the group ‘Let Women Speak’ in Carlisle Park, Morpeth. Driving past you could see a number of mainly women wearing what looked like the suffragette colours of green, purple, and white. You could also note a fairly large counter-demonstration. What was this all about? What was the demonstration and what was the counter-demo? Let Women Speak (LWS) is “a global movement that creates space for women to centre women”, as its website says. So far so good.
PMQs: Labour MP calls on Prime Minister for fairer funding to Durham County Council

Oct 10, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

On Wednesday 9 October, Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for the City of Durham expressed her concerns directly with the Prime Minister, regarding the financial situation facing Durham County Council; calling for a new funding formula to ensure essential services will be protected.
Claiming pension credit: vital for thousands of North East pensioners

Sep 18, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

The UK government’s recent Pension Credit publicity take-up campaign is to be welcomed by all those committed to tacking poverty in old age. About 1,500 Newcastle pensioners could be missing on vital financial support in the form of Pension Credit as the cost-of-living crisis continues. The tax-free payment, which for single pensioners tops up a weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218, or £332 for couples.
Government announces new project to support teachers with AI

Aug 28, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

The UK government announced a new project today that will enhance AI’s ability to assist teachers in marking work and planning lessons. Artificial intelligence will be better at helping teachers mark work and plan lessons under this new project..
Reflecting on the riots: rioters not protestors

Aug 9, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

For a few weeks after the general election, it seemed that politics had grown-up at last in this country. Issues such as housing were being discussed in a serious manner, while the junior doctors pay dispute was swiftly resolved. It was all the more depressing then, to see a return to toxic culture wars and the accompanying online misinformation and innuendo that accompanied it, after the terrible tragedy in Southport on 29 July.
Luke Akehurst accused of antisemitism in complaint to Labour Party

Jun 6, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

A complaint has been made to the Labour Party about Luke Akehurst and his comments, made in 2020 describing non-zionist Jews. Akehurst is the Labour Party candidate for North Durham. Many from the Jewish community have been very disturbed and upset by Akehurst’s comments. In a video clip posted on twitter/X we hear Luke Akehurst say:“They have abandoned very much of their Jewish identity. They don’t go to shul at all.
European Movement launches manifesto

Jun 5, 2024 | northeastbylines.co.uk | Yvonne Wancke

European Movement launched its Manifesto on Europe this week. This comes at a time when the major parties seem to be keeping very quiet about Brexit and Europe, with no mention so far in general election campaigning. The European Movement manifesto contains their key demands from a new government about addressing Brexit damage and building closer ties with Europe. The manifesto includes details with practical steps.