And as Boris Johnson steps down as Prime Minister, it’s time to look back on his high-profile visits to our part of the world.
A year ago this month, he was pictured on a tour of the Nissan factory hours after an announcement from the company that a new electric model would be produced on Wearside – and that a new gigaplant would be built in partnership with Envision AESC.
A year earlier, he was pictured blowing glass at the National Glass Centre before holding a Cabinet meeting there.
In 2016, he was at the crease and playing cricket at Durham’s Riverside ground as part of his tour on the EU referendum Vote Leave campaign bus.
Remember it? Let’s take a closer look.

. Boris on Wearside
Reminders of Boris Johnson's visits to Sunderland and County Durham. Photo: PA/Getty

. Glass blowing in 2020
Boris Johnson blowing glass before chairing a cabinet meeting at the National Glass Centre. Photo: Paul Ellis/PA Wire. Photo: Paul Ellis

1. Glass blowing in 2020
Boris Johnson blowing glass before chairing a cabinet meeting at the National Glass Centre. Photo: Paul Ellis/PA Wire. Photo: Paul Ellis

2. At the Glass Centre
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (centre) chairs a cabinet meeting at National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland, the city which was the first to back Brexit when results were announced after the 2016 referendum. PA Photo. Paul Ellis/PA Wire Photo: Paul Ellis

3. In the chair
The cabinet meeting at the National Glass Centre in 2020. Photo: Paul Ellis/PA Wire. Photo: Paul Ellis

4. On his way
Boris Johnson is greeted by University of Sunderland Vice Chancellor Sir David Bell and National Glass Centre director Keith Merrin (left) on his visit in 2020. Photo: Stu Norton