It’s been a huge privilege to serve as the Member of Parliament for Blaydon and to have delivered so much for my constituents, but I know we have so much more we need to achieve, that is why I will be campaigning to become the first Labour MP of Blaydon and Consett.

The Conservatives have pushed our communities to the brink with successive years of funding cuts, they have neglected our region for too long. I will work to bring real investment into our area and my focus is on ensuring the communities of Blaydon and Consett can thrive.

I want to hear from you and about your views. Our politics is always stronger when people engage with the process and I want to be your voice in Parliament for the Blaydon and Consett constituency.