This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan sit down with Laura Pidcock - political powerhouse, awesome activist, and all-round good human. Born and raised in Northumberland, Laura’s North East roots run through everything she does, grounding her politics in honesty, fairness, and fierce compassion.

As the former Labour MP for the historic heartland of North West Durham, she brought her community’s voice to Parliament with unapologetic conviction, never shying away from calling out injustice or standing up for those too often ignored. In this episode, she reflects on her whirlwind years in Westminster during the chaos of Brexit, the cost of sticking to her principles, and what it really takes to hold your ground in a system that would rather you stayed quiet. Laura talks openly about the disconnect between Parliament and the people it’s meant to serve - how power protects itself, how working-class voices are too often silenced, and why real politics happens far from the cameras. Yet her optimism, humour, and humanity shine through.

With warmth and clarity, she shares how her North East upbringing taught her the strength of solidarity and the value of speaking plainly. For Laura, politics isn’t about ambition; it’s about community, dignity, and the belief that change begins when ordinary people act together. Since leaving Parliament, she’s channelled that same fire into RISE, the grassroots movement she helped build to reconnect politics with real life. Laura talks about moving beyond Westminster and rediscovering power in local action - through tenants’ unions, mutual aid, and collective organising. It’s a passionate, hopeful vision rooted in the belief that no one is coming to save us - but together, we can help each other.

This conversation is a reminder that true politics, at its best, is about community, courage, compassion and absolutely refusing to give up on people. And, of course, it wouldn’t be Local Heroes without a few food-related rabbit holes and a dash of Local Heroes anarchy.

Chris, Dan, and Laura wander from politics to pescetarianism, swapping stories about North East life, family wisdom, and why Laura believes Greggs are great business.

Funny, fiery, and full of heart - this conversation captures everything Local Heroes stands for: real people, real places, and the kind of honest chaos that makes life, and politics, worth talking about.

Patreon - patreon.com/LocalHeroesVIP