IN a seat which has been flying the Labour flag for more than half a century, history would suggest that Bishop Auckland would remain red in the forthcoming election.
But such is the current shift in politics, safe is not the first word that comes to mind to describe this seat, and candidates representing the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and BNP have come forward in the hope of unseating long-standing MP Helen Goodman.
Formed in 1885, the huge seat covers the market town along with surrounding smaller places such as Spennymoor, Chilton and Shildon, which were formed during the boom of the coal mining industry.
But it covers a diverse patch, and also includes the more rural settlements of Barnard Castle and its network of small villages and hamlets, stretching right up to the North Pennines – territory the Tories currently reign over at county council level.
Major issues in recent years include the on-going threat of shutting down services at Bishop Auckland Hospital, job losses at the town’s Vinovium House and the regeneration of Spennymoor’s Festival Walk and Bishop Auckland high street. Brexit is also important here, with what it means for workers and particularly farmers up in the dales who rely heavily on EU subsidies.
CANDIDATE: Helen Goodman, Labour
Ms Goodman, 59, having held to the seat for more than a decade, said she hoped her record of work shows she knows and understands her constituents.
She said: “I think my record shows I have always put my constituents first. I have dealt with thousands of people’s problems over the years.
“We have had big consultations on immigration and housing and Brexit and people round here voted for Brexit so I voted to trigger Article 50 so I think I’m a good representative for them – I’m not frightened of breaking the party whip in the interests of my constituents or standing up to Tory ministers.”
Ms Goodman said she was “genuinely shocked” over “disgraceful” cuts to school budgets and the police force. She also said she had fought for more than 800 people facing benefit cuts over the PIP and ATOS claims while also campaigning for Bishop Auckland Hospital, ambulance waiting times as well as for farmers and broadband in more rural areas.
CANDIDATE: Christopher Adams, Conservative Party
Hoping to win the seat for the Conservative Party for the first time in history is Christopher Adams, 28, who came second in 2015. He is hoping to turn the seat blue this time round after receiving “very positive” feedback from his doorstep campaigning.
Mr Adams said: “I think this time a lot of people are taking to us because they are saying this area has always been Labour and they want a change."
Mr Adams said protecting services at Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland Hospital, as well as concentrating on regenerating the town centres with tax reliefs for businesses were his main priorities.
“One that really stands out is Spennymoor with Festival Walk and I’ve seen a Labour leaflet from 2007 pledging to help but we are sat here ten years later,” he said.
Mr Adams – who said he had to leave his home village of Barton to find work after university – has also said he wants to help people find work in the area.
“The constituents want somebody who’s up for Brexit and will make the best of the opportunities,” he said. “I grew up in the North-East and care passionately about this.”
CANDIDATE: Ciaran Morrisey, Liberal Democrats
The youngest candidate is 22-year-old Ciaran Morrisey, a barman from Newcastle who is standing for the Liberal Democrats. He is currently completing a masters degree in political economy, and said he is running because “I feel like Labour takes the region for granted”.
“We need to be able to have somebody to say ‘I will oppose the government; I will try to be a good opposition’ and that motivated me to stand specifically for Bishop Auckland,” Mr Morrisey said.
Getting the best deal for the North-East out of Brexit was also a priority for Mr Morrissey while he also wanted to combat work opportunities and isolation in the rural parts of the seat.
He added: “I’m quite fired up for it and I think it’s impossible to call – there’s everything to play for and it’s an opportunity to hold the government to account.”
CANDIDATE: Adam Walker, British National Party
Back this time round is the British National Party Local People First party whose chairman, Adam Walker, who ran for the seat in 2010.
The 48-year-old army veteran was born in Bishop Auckland and lives in Spennymoor where he runs a karate club.
Mr Walker said he is no stranger to unfounded accusations and “laughs them off” while he is “not a career politician” but “an ordinary, decent member of British society”.
Mr Walker said he is running for the seat because “the people of the constituency deserve better than the incumbent passenger of the Labour Party gravy train”.
“Voters have rejected the modern Labour Party in local elections but may not be able to bring themselves to put a cross next to the Tories or LibDems,” he said. “If I can take just one vote from Helen Goodman, then it will be worth it.”
Northern Echo political commentator Chris Lloyd says...
If Theresa May does win a landslide on June 8, then this seat could fall, pushing the Tory majority up towards 100.
It is the 46th most vulnerable Labour seat in the country, and requires a swing of 4.45% to the Tories.
The Conservatives have never held Bishop Auckland in its 125 year history, and for the last century it has been solidly Labour for all but four years since the First World War.
In 1997, Derek Foster's majority was 21,000 and so if – if – the Conservatives can make inroads into the heart of County Durham it would be history indeed.
It looks likely that the key will be the 7,000 people who voted Ukip in 2015.
With no Ukip candidate, where will they place their cross?
Will they follow their forefathers and return to Labour or will they give the Tories their Brexit vote?
In 2015...
Electorate: 66,089
Turnout: 59.60%
Helen Goodman (Lab) 16,307
Christopher Adams (Con) 12,799
Rhys Burriss (UKIP) 7,015
Stephen White (Lib Dem) 1,723
Thom Robinson (Green) 1,545
Labour majority: 3,508
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