“Why have you resigned from Labour to run as an independent?” I’ve been asked by a dozen different journalists in the past 24 hours. Truth is, there are probably a dozen different reasons.
The overwhelming support I’ve had since Labour HQ summarily blocked me from standing for the North East mayoralty is part of it. On Saturday night I went to a local beer festival. People I’d never met kept saying: “It’s terrible what they’ve done to you. I hope you run as an independent.” Labour members and Tory councillors, union leaders and business people have all said: “Run, and I’ll vote for you.”
