Realignment Postponed? Political Continuity and Change in the North Eastern Suburbs

Abstract

AbstractFor decades, the politics of the North East and its suburbs have been frozen. Ever since the decline of the Tories in the region in the 1980s, it has served as a ‘solid North’ for Labour, but recent evidence suggests that this might well be changing. North Eastern suburbs have suffered because of the emphasis that has been placed on regenerating city centres, and the suburbs in the region haven't been immune to the economic dislocation that emerged from deindustrialisation in the 1970s and 1980s. They have also been impacted by the banking crash and, in particular, the collapse of Northern Rock. They have also seen growing political disengagement and a diminution of affection with the Labour party. All these factors contributed to many suburbs in the North East supporting Brexit in 2016. Talk of a realignment at the 2017 election was over‐egged, however, as the Conservatives failed to understand some of the key drivers of voting behaviour in the region. All evidence suggests that the North East is entering a period of more competitive politics and political parties that show greater ambition for the region and its economy will be in a strong position to take advantage of this.