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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Sep 5

A North East Conservative MP said the Rayner scandal has shown that Labour has "ruined the country".

Angela Rayner scandal shows Labour 'have ruined country' says North East MP

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been blasted by a North East MP who claimed he has 'ruined our country' after his deputy Angela Rayner resigned.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Sep 4

Police are investigating a 'divisive' faked planning letter claiming a mosque would be built in a County Durham town.

'Divisive' fake mosque planning letter prompts police probe

A fake planning letter about a mosque being built in Chester-le-Street has been condemned.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Aug 27

Reform UK has suspended a Durham county councillor amid criticism of alleged social media posts criticising asylum seekers, after it emerged he works for the government department processing asylum claims.

From Bill Edgar

Crook councillor suspended by Reform UK amid criticism over alleged online posts

A Crook county councillor has been suspended by Reform UK amid criticism of alleged social media posts criticising asylum seekers.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Aug 14

The Education Secretary is 'concerned' about the widening gap in top A-level results between London and the North East.

But, she refused to be drawn into a discussion over whether Govt needed more radical proposals to address ‘deep rooted’ inequality.

Education Secretary 'concerned' over widening gap between London and North East

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is 'concerned' about the widening gap in top A-level results between London and the North East.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Aug 14

Reform UK has cut funding and withdrawn support from Durham Pride, reports @thenorthernecho.bsky.social’s Bill Edgar 👇

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2539133...

Reform cuts funding and withdraws support from Durham Pride event

Reform leaders have cut council funding for County Durham’s Pride event.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Jun 13

The Echo will continue to report on the council’s activities in a dispassionate manner, laying the facts before the public, even if some people might prefer those facts to remain hidden.

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Jun 13

Today, the Deputy Leader of Durham County Council said The Northern Echo was “biased” because of an accurate report on by-election costs.

Darren Grimes said Reform will no longer engage with The Echo.

The Echo will continue to engage with Reform.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2523811...

Holding Reform in Durham to account

THE Northern Echo yesterday published an accurate report on its website informing the public about the cost of two by-elections that taxpayers are…

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · Jun 6

Schools minister Catherine McKinnell said both the government and schools needed time to 'prepare' when asked why free school meal eligibility changes won't come into force until 2026.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2521818...

Schools need 'time' to implement 'urgent' free school meals expansion says minister

Minister Catherine McKinnell said schools need 'time' to prepare as the government's free school meal policy won’t come into force until 2026.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 30

🏳️‍🌈Durham Pride could 'ban' politicians from next year's event after Reform-led Durham County Council took down the pride flag from its HQ.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2520120...

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 22

A £22,800 cost for a by-election caused by a Reform councillor’s resignation after only nine days has been branded a ‘gross waste of taxpayer money’ 👇

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2518180...

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 21

Darren Grimes 'hurt' by decision not to invite Reform to Durham Miners’ Gala.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2517865...

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 17

Chester-le-Street Cllr Paul Sexton, who defected to Reform just nine days May’s election, was previously censured by the council for bullying and harassment, it has been revealed.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2516908...

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 16

Darren Grimes, Reform’s deputy leader on Durham County Council has been slammed for ‘appalling’ X posts - including an AI generated image of himself wearing a rainbow hijab while sat in a wheelchair.

But, the councillor says he won’t apologise.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2516674...

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 13

An independent councillor in Chester-le-Street has defected to Reform, less than two weeks after being re-elected.

Paul Sexton has sat on Durham County Council since 2017.

#ReformUK

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2516072...

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 13

By-election confirmed in County Durham as Reform councillor quits NINE days after election.

Full story below 👇

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2515434...

Durham Reform UK councillor resigns just nine days after being elected, party says

A Reform UK councillor elected to Durham County Council just nine days ago has resigned his seat after failing to declare he worked for the council,…

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 5

Reform has backed down from a ‘farcical’ ban on County flags being flown on council buildings in Durham.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2513883...

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 4

Staff at Durham County Council should ‘join a union’ after Reform’s election win, according to UNISON chief Christina McAnea.

Durham County Council staff 'should join union' after Farage 'job loss warning'

The head of trade union Unison has urged staff at Durham County Council to sign up after Nigel Farage warned workers to seek “alternative…

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

The face of County Durham’s politics has been reformed.

Analysis, interviews and comment on a historic day in the region’s politics.

All in tomorrow’s Northern Echo.

#TomorrowsPapersToday

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

Reform won a historic election in Durham.

But what comes next?

Analysis and key questions for #ReformUK (and others) after the party stormed to victory, taking control of Durham County Council. 👇

#CountyDurhamLocalElections
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2513549...

What happens now for Durham County Council after Reform's historic victory?

Reform UK swept to victory in the 2025 local election in Durham, winning 65 seats and taking control of Durham County Council.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

FULL RESULTS of Durham County Council election.

➡️ REFORM - 65
🟠 LIB DEM - 14
⚪️ INDEPENDENT - 12
🌹 LABOUR - 4
🟢 GREEN - 2
🔵 CONSERVATIVE - 1

Reform GAIN from No Overall Control.

#CountyDurhamLocalElections

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

This is turning out to be a historic day in Durham as Reform only needs 19 seats for a majority.

They are picking up seats at the expense of Labour, Lib Dems and Tories. Green Party has doubled its number of councillors.

#CountyDurhamLocalElections

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

Here's how Durham County Council looks after the first ward's declaration.

Reform GAIN Pittington and Sherburn from Labour.

There are only 98 seats on DCC now after boundary changes.

#CountyDurhamLocalElections

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Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

The count is also underway in Spennymoor where Bill Edgar is stationed, bringing all the latest results in the race for control of Durham County Council.

The council has been ran by a Lib Dem/Conservative/Indy/Green coalition since 2021.

#CountyDurhamLocalElections

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

🥀Another Labour candidate in County Durham texts "We're fucked, it's Reform everywhere".

A possible tsunami could be about to change the face of Durham politics.

#CountyDurhamLocalElections | #Reform | #Labour

Joshua Nichol @joshuanichol.bsky.social · May 2

🗳️Counting is underway in Consett, with candidates of all parties in attendance.

@danielhordon.bsky.social is on the ground and will bring you all the latest twists and turns on what could well be a major day for Durham politics.

#CountyDurhamLocalElections