'Go Emma' and 'truth hurts' - South Shields has say on MP response to Nigel Farage dig

We all know it already, anything to do with Nigel Farage and Reform UK divides opinion.

So it comes as no shock to see the people of South Tyneside split down the middle when it comes to whether the controversial politician was right to say that South Shields is a ‘town in decline’, all while he strode down King Street last week.

MP Emma Lewell bit back at Farage to the Gazette when asked to comment of Farage’s stance. She said: “Nigel Farage last came to South Shields when he was the leader of UKIP, he was lacking in any positive messaging then as well.”

And it’s fair to say people are split on Farage and Lewell’s comments. Here’s some of the more interesting comments left to our Facebook page on the matter, this week.

The people of South Shields have their say on Nigel Farage comments

Darren Lewis: "It's her and her party's doing."

Eileen Holliday: "We need an indoor shopping market, incentives for people to open shops and get big names back, you need this for not just the people of South Tyneside but the students who will spend money."

Paul Wood: "He’s 100% spot on! Truth hurts."

Richard J. S. Easten: "When I left Shields as a child I always wanted to return, maybe retire however over the years I have visited the decline is terrible, and no offence I wouldn't fancy more than a day visit. Colmans and Minchellas and that's about it."

Caroline Edwardson: "Should I, a woman born and bred in South Shields before a NHS and other benefits arrived, come and canvas for my Labour Party in King Street? Some people forget where they came from and how they got where they are today! My parents and grandparents would be horrified if they heard the ingratitude expressed by some here! Keep smiling, Emma!"

Derek Embleton: "First of all you need businesses prepared to open shops on the streets , then you need people to go and shop there. If people shop online instead of getting out and shopping on the high street there's the reason right there."

Alan Davies: "He's spot on."

‘The truth hurts’

Lilian Popov: "He spoke the truth & truth hurts."

Madeline Carling: "The truth hurts, Nigel was right."

Helen Bell: "Go Emma he’s a horrible man who just needs to go back to grifting."

Gillian Foster: "South Shields town centre Is dire now."

Jan Haskins: "How’s Clacton doing Nigel?"

Pauline Metcalfe: "He's not wrong."

‘Why can’t Shields?’

Michelle Sutak Maine: "I moved to South Shields from upstate New York 8 years ago. Believe it or not, even if it's fallen from its nostalgic heyday, it is a million times better than most small towns in the US. People here don't know/ value what they've got. I absolutely love the coastline, the parks and their summertime events, Ocean Rd, Haven Point, even King street is way more vibrant than most US main streets. I believe it will only improve when the College is finished."

Paul Steven Harrison: "I am Shields born and bred and I have seen it fall over the years, and those who say it’s online shopping have no clue. If you wish to see how it’s done take a trip up the road to Morpeth a vibrant shopping centre all shops are open, three markets a week, big stores and banks that are open. If they can get it right why can’t South Shields??"