The North was the beating heart of a working Britain. From coalfields to the shipyards, solidarity was not just a political slogan, it was the way of life. The Miners Gala, a living reminder of the heritage, still draws thousands even though the last mines closed 30 years ago.
But there is a clear drift. The 2025 local elections saw a surge into a once working class fortress. Polling clearly shows the gains made by Reform in the North East, shaking the status quo. In a region built on collective struggle, it represents more than just a tremor.
The roots
This is not just about the colour of the rosette. It is about identity. The closure of the pits was not just a loss of jobs. It closed the spaces for organisation, debate, and the ideals of being a community. Working men’s clubs, welfare institutions, union halls were more than just buildings, they existed to build communities.
Today, we have echo chambers and a political system rewarding division. Social media has amplified outrage while Westminster is unresponsive as usual and more out of reach than ever. This is not just people protesting through their votes, they feel differently about who they are and whom they trust.
Illusive unity
Scratch the surface of voices calling for “unity” and you will find that these appeals are selective. They speak of the people while quietly excluding those who do not fit the narrative. Even campaigns of inclusion (or Op-eds like this) can sound like monologues which alienate the very communities they claim to represent.
‘Unity’ is not just lip service, it is an active practice. Currently, we are short on spaces where this can happen.
Why do we even care?
Fragmentation is not just about political maths, it is a social problem. When communities polarise, trust between neighbours erodes, debate becomes toxic, any compromise feels like a betrayal. And extreme voices thrive in this vacuum of hope.
The North East needs no reminder of what a community can achieve. We built welfare, fought for worker rights, we shaped policy. But, in allowing identity politics to harden into tribalism, this is at the immediate risk of becoming a museum piece rather than a living force.
Grassroots for repair
Three out of four leaflets from candidates for the 2025 local elections simply regurgitated wider policies and rhetoric. The canvassing had no nuance on local issues. This is a stark reminder that local elections are frequently being fought on hyperbole which has limited, if no grounding in actual issues plaguing these communities. The hopelessness sometimes creeps in and I ask myself, “What is even the point?” Waiting for Westminster and another party to fix this is a frivolous expectation. The repair needs to start here and now, in our streets, schools, and community halls.
- Decision-making starts at home: push for real devolution. We do not need a token statement on powers but meaningful control on housing, transport, and skills. When decisions are made closer to people, policy making feels less like watching another No. 10 briefing and more like a shared responsibility.
- Spaces for conversation: we need gatherings for people from diverse backgrounds to share stories before debating policies. No slogans and no shouting, let us just listen and learn. Pair these with community projects which are widely publicised and accessible for those who feel neglected or forgotten.
- Local initiatives: seeds of renewal exist. An Opportunity Fund is investing in grassroots projects to address poverty and cohesion. The North East Roots fund is raising money to support community organisations. This is not just about the having access to grants, we need to create vibrant spaces to connect. These efforts must be amplified and replicated.
What does progress look like?
You will know we are progressing when people can explain the opposite side’s argument without sneering. When compromise is celebrated and not condemned. When the local council asks, “What did the residents decide?” rather than, “How do we sell this?”
I came from India but in Durham, I am home. We have been here before and we are still here. The North East knows how to organise, how to fight, but most importantly, how to stand together. Fragmentation is not inevitable, it is a choice and so is solidarity.
“Fragmentation is not fate; it is an incentive. Change the incentives, and you change the story”
