All change? One Metro line, four all-out elections
BBCOn the daily commute, there is often a race for a seat on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Its green line connects Sunderland to Newcastle taking in four council areas, which this year are holding all-out elections. But will it be all change?
Sunderland City Council
First stop, University.
One end of Chester Road is the University of Sunderland campus, the other is the hospital.
It is just after midday and people are queuing out the doors of sandwich shops for their lunch fix on this bustling, diverse street.
Manning the till at one of the greengrocers, Brad Purnell, said customers were "all just talking about the [Iran] war, pretty much, and prices of things going up".
"Prices of things have hiked through the roof," the 41-year-old said.
In 2024, Sunderland was one of several areas in England which saw riots fuelled by misinformation and anti-immigration hate.
First-time voter Erica Barbosa said racism was her main concern and it prompted her to make her voice heard.
The 30-year-old hospital worker was born in the Philippines but has lived in Sunderland since she was nine.
"I've had loads of racism since recently where people tell me to go back to my country," she said, as she shopped for fruit and veg.
The council has been Labour since its formation in the 1970s.
Boundary changes mean every council seat is being contested
It is a target for Reform UK, who swept to power in neighbouring Durham County Council last year.The Liberal Democrats, currently the opposition, will want to make gains, while the Conservatives are defending their seats.
Along the street, Masaid Ahmed, 53, said his young family had been hit hard by the rising cost of living.
"We have to cut down on a lot of stuff," he said.
"Everything's getting expensive, and there's not many jobs going as well."
South Tyneside Council
Along the line, we cross into the borough of South Tyneside.
The village of East Boldon is far more quiet and certainly more quaint.
Grey stone semi-detached properties make up most of buildings on Front Street, near the station, where a group of construction workers are sat outside a pub.
"One word, immigration," said one man, when asked what issues would be steering how they would vote.
He then shook his head, saying he did not want to talk anymore.
Labour's grip on South Tyneside Council has been weakening in recent years, having lost its official majority. Greens and Independents make up the rest of the seats in a borough that includes bigger towns like South Shields and Jarrow.
In the fish and chip shop, Joanne Martin, 53, said she usually votes but this year felt "really undecided".
"I've had all the leaflets put through the door and I have looked at them but I'm still not sure who to vote for."
People dining at a cheese and wine deli said environmental issues like climate change would play a big part in how they would vote.
Sat at one of the outdoor tables, Millie Brock, 23, said she would vote but would go with who her parents were voting for, as she trusted their opinion.
"I just don't really keep myself up to date with these things," she said.
She mentioned flags on lampposts could be seen "all over" the area.
"I find that quite offensive," she said. "So I know that's what I wouldn't vote for."
Gateshead Council
The Metro moves into Gateshead and one of its smaller towns, Felling. Take a left out of the station, you come to the hairdressers Lisa Crawford has run for almost 30 years.
"The graffiti, the anti-social behaviour... street lighting, drains, litter, the list is endless," the 53-year-old said of issues swaying her vote.
Customers at the salon also had local issues on their minds.
It has been more than 500 days since the busy Gateshead flyover was suddenly closed, over fears unsafe concrete could lead to its collapse. Demolition work got under way earlier this month.
Avril Scott, 71, who lives nearby, has trouble walking up hills on the diverted routes.
"I think we've just been cut off," she said.
Gateshead Council has been Labour since its formation in 1974, and the Liberal Democrats are the main opposition. This time, there will be a strong campaign from Reform.
As she was colouring hair, Crawford said she could guess what the results would be.
"I mean, Gateshead has had a Labour MP, [and] council for over 50 years, they're just not challenged, they're not challenged enough," she said.
Not everyone planned to vote, however.
Becca Pearson, 35, said: "I just don't have an opinion, I don't get involved in political stuff, it's just not my thing."
Up the road in the old town centre, John Thompson, 71, had a similar view - "I divn't like any of them," he said, in his dulcet Geordie tones.
"I divn't think they would help the British people, they're all in it for themselves."
Newcastle City Council
As the Metro makes its way over the River Tyne, we cross into Newcastle.
Here, Labour face a three-pronged challenge from the Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Green Party. However, various independents currently hold 15 seats, so the results will be a close watch.
Passing through the city centre, the Metro heads towards Regent Centre. A short walk away is Gosforth High Street, which is dotted with boutique shops, cafes and a shopping centre.
Trevor Burn, 71, said he felt disappointed with Labour and "how things have turned out". But he said he would still rather have them than anyone else.
Admitting that national issues would sway her vote this time, Jennifer Tate, 35, said she planned to vote differently than before.
"Global issues, global wars and the sides that we're taking," were on her mind, she said.
Stephanie Elliott said she stopped focussing on national politics when it came to voting, saying the news had felt "quite overwhelming".
"I think there's a bit of disenfranchisement about the more national issues."
"There's so much polarisation," she said. "I think it's easier to focus on the more local issues, to see change hopefully then ripple out."
Voters in parts of England will go the polls on 7 May.
A full list of candidates in your area is available here.
