(By Dominic McDonough, Sunderland Branch Chairman)

Here in Sunderland we are seeing a fantastic surge in interest from young people. It is hard to believe that in less than a year Sunderland has gone from nothing to one of the regions biggest and most active branches. But why is this? Sunderland is an area that has been let down by Labour. After the closure of many heavy industries in the 1980s, a huge amount of investment was poured into the area which resulted in the opening of big employers such as Nissan and Doxford Park call centres. Unfortunately this has not been continued by Labour and the area is once again suffering. What is bad news for Sunderland is good news for CF in Sunderland. Our membership numbers have gone up and we now have a team who are working hard to get Lee Martin elected. It is hard to believe that Sunderland, a Labour hotspot since the 1950s, is on the verge of electing a Conservative MP, but this is proof that the whole of the country is hungry for change. Labour are not just losing there grip in marginal’s but the old Labour heartlands are waking up and realise that Labour have infact done very little for them.

As well as focusing on campaigning we also get together regularly for chats, drinks, meals and this has really enabled the team to band together. It also enables those who may not be as clued up on politics as others to relax and chat about work, gossip and general chit chat. This makes for a very friendly atmosphere which is essential.

Sunderland CF recently had an action day and curry night in support of Lee Martin which was a raring success. Many things where discussed on the evening, but one thing that really hit home was the way in which young people simply feel let down. To quote one member “1997 was seen as a change for the better, it has infact been a change for the worse”. This makes Sunderland CFs work so much more important, for the first time in many years young people are getting involved and young people are working hard to deliver a change that will benefit us all for the future. Sunderland is usually the first to declare. What a bad start to the night it would be for Mr Brown if a North East inner city went blue.