Dr Paul Williams announced as Labour’s candidate for Hartlepool

Paul, a former Stockton South MP, is a family doctor who has been working on the frontline during the ongoing pandemic.

Throughout the crisis he has been seeing coronavirus patients at Hartlepool’s One Life Centres and working in the Urgent Care Centre at Hartlepool hospital.

Paul is married with two children. His wife, who is a nurse, has been delivering vaccinations in the town.

He spends his spare time with his family and taking part in sport. 

His father was a teacher and his mum was a nurse, who inspired him to go into medicine.

Talking about his selection, he said: “It’s an honour to have been selected for Hartlepool.

"It’s a brilliant town with fantastic people and a bright future.

"Working during this crisis I’ve seen the NHS at its best and fighting for services at our local hospital would be my top priority as your MP.

“But the NHS isn’t being looked after properly by the Tories.

"They closed Hartlepool’s A&E in 2011 and other services have been taken away since.

"I’ll fight for our hospital and for the services we need.

“The Tories have let Hartlepool down.

"Over the past decade of being in power they’ve taken from Hartlepool, taken police off the streets and taken services from our local hospital.

"The Tories on Teesside are focussed on Stockton and Middlesbrough and Hartlepool gets the crumbs from the table, if we get anything at all. 

“We don’t want people to have to go out of the town to get good jobs or go to hospital or to the shops.

"We want jobs and services right here in Hartlepool for local people.

"That’s what I’ll be fighting for as Hartlepool’s MP.”

Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said: “Paul has already been keeping local people safe as a doctor during the Covid crisis – he will be a powerful voice for the town as its next MP. I can’t wait to campaign alongside him.

Kier Starmer

“Over the last year, the Labour Party has been listening and changing: returning the party to the people.

"That’s why at this election we’ll be fighting to secure Hartlepool’s local economy, protect its NHS and then rebuild the town after the pandemic.”

Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Labour Group, said: “I’m delighted that Paul has been selected as candidate and I know he will be a brilliant MP for our town. As a doctor he knows full well what we have all been through over the past year.

“He has worked on the frontline of the crisis as a covid doctor and I’m just so thankful for all he has done for keeping the people of Hartlepool safe and well.

"I can’t think of anyone better to stand up for Hartlepool in Parliament.”

A spokesperson for Hartlepool Constituency Labour Party, said: “Paul Williams was the standout choice of the CLP and we are delighted with this decision.

"We wanted a candidate in place early so we can use every day campaigning for Labour and put across our positive message.”

"Paul has already been working hard to keep the people of Hartlepool safe in his role as a doctor during the Covid crisis and I'm sure he will work just as hard and as effectively as an MP for the town.

Jessie Joe Jacobs, Labour's candidate for Tees Valley Mayor, said Paul is 'a great guy and was an excellent MP for Stockton South'.

She added: "I've worked alongside him and I know he will be a great choice for Hartlepool.

"I look forward to campaigning alongside him. I wish him success."

Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough said Paul was a 'superb' candidate.

He added: “More than ever, given the devastation of more than a decade of austerity, the job losses and damage caused to local services by Tory neglect, a strong Labour voice is needed for Hartlepool. 

"As a Doctor, battling on the front line of Covid, Paul knows all too well what ten years of Tory rule has done to our NHS and how our front-line workers, who have given their all to our care and protection feel so very badly betrayed by this Government. Paul will be a mighty champion for them and all the people of Hartlepool.”