The six candidates standing for election in the City of Durham constituency have announced their campaigns to voters. 

Rishi Sunak announced the General Election for July 4 last month, saying it was “the moment for Britain to choose its future”.

Wards: Belmont, Brandon, Deerness, Durham South, Elvet and Gilesgate, Esh and Witton Gilbert, Framwellgate and Newton Hall. Neville’s Cross, Sherburn, Willington and Hunwick.

Previous MP: Mary Kelly Foy,  Labour

Mark Belch, Reform UK

I'm tired of weak politicians making cowardly decisions that are steadily destroying British culture, values and our quality of life. Our nation is broken. I don't recognise it anymore. It's time for strong men and women to come forward with the courage to say enough is enough. 

With a track record of standing up for what's right and getting results,  I am the candidate who will fearlessly confront the establishment and work tirelessly to improve the lives of people in the City of Durham and help make Britain great.

(Image: Mark Belch)

Jonathan Elmer, Green

I’ve lived and worked in County Durham for most of my life in roles connected with the restoration of habitats and nature.  More recently I’ve served as a City of Durham Parish Councillor and now as County Councillor where my top priorities have been housing, transport, the climate and nature emergency.  So:

  • If you want better public/active transport infrastructure and services – vote for me
  • If you are fed up with family homes being converted to HMOs and can’t even get on the housing ladder – vote for me
  • If you accept that our community and the planet are threatened by changing climates and collapsing ecosystems – vote for me.

Mary Kelly Foy, Labour

I’m standing for re-election because I love our constituency: our culture, our history and our people. 

Since 2019, I’ve assisted over 13,000 constituents. I haven’t stopped championing our city, our region or our values - values of compassion, fairness and solidarity.

I’ve held Tory governments to account when they’ve lied about levelling up, plundered our public services and abandoned St Leonard’s School.

After fourteen years of Tory turmoil, 35% of all babies, children and young people in the North East are shockingly now living in poverty. 

We need change. We need a Labour government. 

Luke Allan Homes, Conservative

I have a proven track record of delivering results that matter. Born, raised, educated, worked, and lived in County Durham my whole life, I understand our community's needs. My six-point plan focuses on safer streets, job creation, a stronger economy, better education, improved transport, and robust healthcare. 

As a former Business Development Director and local councillor, I’ve tackled economic challenges and improved educational outcomes. Notably, I helped transform a local school from Inadequate to Good in two years. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure a prosperous and safe future for Durham, driven by sustainable growth and community collaboration.

Sarah Welbourne, Social Democratic Party

Like many people in Durham and the surrounding villages, I know that working families and local industry hold our communities together. To reverse the decline that we have seen in many places, County Durham needs to be reindustrialised, and our workforce trained for skilled manufacturing jobs that are key to Britain’s independence. 

To make it easier to raise a family in Britain, the SDP pledges to build affordable homes and cut taxes for working parents. These issues are important to me, and if they are to you, please consider voting for me on July 4.

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Mark Wilkes, Liberal Democrat

I'm standing up for a fair deal for the City of Durham, and I am campaigning to save our NHS. After helping to care for my mum, who lost her battle with cancer three months ago, this is personal: I want to be honest about the scale of the challenges facing our NHS, its wonderful staff, and its patients. 

Labour and the Conservatives aren't being honest about the scale of the problems, but the Liberal Democrats have a fully costed plan to raise taxes on the big banks and tech giants to save the NHS and provide free personal social care for people in their own homes.