THERE'S a feeling of change in the air after the American presidential election, and I for one would like some change to our politics.

I would love to see local politics governed more by local issues. I know that Labour have made mistakes nationally, but nowhere near as many as they do in the region. The Tories have no policies, but for me are unelectable after their reign under Thatcher and then the grey man – what was his name again?

I think grey is the colour for the local Tories, too, other then the scaremonger councillor through her spinning of the edited highlights of obscure reports. We have the faceless and the pointless trying to justify the non-policy of the no-hopers.

I'd like to see more independents – those that fight their ticket on local issues: the coast, local transport, Vaux, the city centre.

More importantly, it really is time for an independent Mayor, someone who can raise the bar for the city, someone who can promote the area and fight for it, rather then the feeble lot that occupy the "cabinet".
If only the likes of Niall Quinn or perhaps Steve Cram could and would stand, then perhaps the city would have a fighting chance.

Quinn, in a matter of days, with the announcement of the music concerts has done more to promote the area then Gateshead/Newcastle-based One Northeast (responsible for regional tourism) or the city council have ever done.

We need vision, flair, determination and inspiration, but above all the clear need and desire to make a difference for the city. We need our own Obama. We need a Mayor and I think Mr Quinn would do nicely.
Pete Bogg

I WOULD like to ask Coun Peter Wood (Only the start – Echo, Nov 6) when the extension to the proposed London to Leeds high-speed link would come to the North East and Scotland – five years? 10 years? 25 years? 50 years? Not in my lifetime?
If Stephen Hammond, one of the Party's transport spokesmen told him this was only the start, then there must be some kind of provisional timetable in place for the extension to the North East or was this just a case of him trying to defuse a political gaffe made by Theresa Villiers, the Shadow transport secretary and trying to smooth the ruffled feathers of their northern councillors and MPs?
Business leaders have already dismissed the thinking behind the plan. Richard Branson noted in an interview on Radio 5 Live at the time of the announcement at the Conservative Party Conference that upgrading the East Coast main line would cause less disruption as only 16 houses would be affected.
Surely this would be a better, cheaper and quicker option for the people of the North East? It could also link up to the Edinburgh and Glasgow high-speed rail link that was proposed in 2006 by Jack McConnell, the then First Minister of Scotland, and Tavish Scott, the then Minister for Transport and Telecommunications in Scotland.
This is a very old political trick, waving a carrot in front of the electorate by offering something tomorrow, when we all know tomorrow never comes. So come on, Peter, put some meat on the bones and maybe we'll believe you. Are your party's proposals realistic or just pie in the sky political spin?
Bob Price,
Fulwell,
Sunderland

I WOULD like to give a big vote of thanks, which I am sure will be echoed by all the residents of Newbottle, to Derek Smith, our newest independent councillor, for his work in getting the rough, dangerous footpath, overgrown with brambles, tarmacked and made safe to walk on at last.
After many years of pleading – and many falls – we can at last walk safely to the bus stops. This path is also the main route between the north and south side of the village.
So thanks again, Derek, for your efforts and thanks also to the council official who listened to you, looked for himself and decided it was a job that needed to be done.
Joyce Dickson,
Newbottle

CAN I say a word of thanks to everyone who assisted me when I had a fall on Thursday, October 16, outside Houghton Church.
First, the gentleman who escorted me to Church Street surgery and the young nurse who cleaned my head wound. Also, the paramedic who arrived at my flat within three minutes of being called and who took me to Grindon Lane where I received excellent care before I went to Sunderland Royal Hospital where I spent three days.
Here again, I received first-class attention. The nursing staff and especially Mr Sterrat, the surgeon who operated on my fractured elbow, were fantastic.
Thanks also to Ian and Pearl and my friends Tony and Margaret at Myre Hall.
Finally, thank you to our scheme manager at Myre Hall, Viv Whenray, and last, but by no means least, my kind niece Margaret.
R Blakey,
Houghton