Distance can sometimes provide perspective, but also ignorance. So, it was interesting to read an opinionated article about Sunderland in a well-known national newspaper which I won't name.

The author was castigating the deputy leader of the council and the local MP for raising concerns about the approach of the Government in directing a large number of asylum seekers to Sunderland and its potential impact on good community relations. He compared this to racist attitudes in Tower Hamlets in the 1980s and accused the local politicians of preventing asylum seekers coming to the North East.