ONCE again I have covered for the excellent Paul Linford and produced one of them politics columns in Saturday's Journal.

IF an elected mayor is the answer, what could possibly have been the
question in North Tyneside?

Today's politics column on the mission facing the North East local enterprise partnership, and the PR firm brought in to help.

IT'S not quite 'the economy, stupid' but the Local Enterprise Partnership has had a similar blunt message of how to succeed.

Saturday's politics column, looking at the two senior civil servants creating a secret sense of regionalism.

THE Coalition has a trust problem, one the North East has yet to figure out how to play.

Once again I had the delight of stepping in for Paul Linford as Saturday's Journal political commentator. To bring me crashing back down to Earth I put together a what really happens when ministers visit type piece.
For those who didn't read it, enjoy.

NICK Clegg has a curious talent for being able to pretend he recognises regional journalists.

Why are you people not showing up for Newcastle full council? Because we had a lot of fun last night.

Saturday's Journal column, as the ever insightful Paul Linford continues to do whatever it is he does on holiday.

THOSE of us covering local politics like to think we move in pretty exclusive circles, assuming the definition of exclusive is expanded to mean access to people others aren't too fussed about.

As well as keeping literally some readers up to date on regional politics type stuff, I also occasionally help out on the news desk for The Journal and our sister papers.
This affords me a fine insight into the world of general news, a sample of which I provide here.

PAUL Linford, responsible for The Journal's political insight via his weekly column, was away this weekend. Yours truly covered for him. Since most of you would have been busy looking through Homemaker I've reproduced Saturday's article here. Enjoy...

IAIN Malcolm is that curious thing in the North East - a man who is not completely crazy about football. So why then has the South Tyneside Council leader been seen on several
occasions at the Stadium of Light?

THAT live twitter coverage of council meetings is all the rage at the moment, but the 140 characters format has its limitations. 140 to be exact.
So, here is a guide to who's who at Newcastle Council.

So, farewell Peter Arnold. Science City's loss is some other science thingy's gain.

What the city wants now is a new man in charge. But not one as good as Peter, apparently. Newcastle Science City has admitted a slimmed down project doesn't need a man of his calibre.