The candidates standing for election in the Bishop Auckland 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: Barnard Castle East, Barnard Castle West, Bishop Auckland Town, Coundon, Crook, Evenwood, Shildon and Dene Valley, Tow Law, Weardale, West Auckland, Woodhouse Close.

Previous MP: Dehenna Davison, Bishop Auckland

Rhys Burris, Reform UK

Tories and Labour take turns imposing their wokery and stupidity on us.  

The country suffers from high criminality,  a failing health service, utter housing unaffordability,  overcrowded roads, and schools: a list of failures. 

The governing classes’ betrayal is seen most glaringly in the imposition of Mass Uncontrolled Immigration. Yet they claim that two and a half million newcomers in two years has no effect on house prices and rents. Reform UK is the ONLY party opposing this madness.

It would be a great privilege to advocate for the people of Bishop Auckland in Parliament:  but I need your vote to do it!

Helen Cross, Liberal Democrat

Our NHS isn't working and social care has been too low a priority for Labour and Conservative MPs. That's why the Liberal Democrats have offered a fully-costed plan. By reversing tax breaks for the big banks, we can fund our NHS and provide free personal care to people in their own homes.

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to face the reality that our economy's faltering and our public services are crumbling: More and more people are turning to the Lib Dems to stop Labour and Conservative MPs taking us for granted."

Sarah Hannan, Green Party

I’ve lived in the constituency 19 years working as a welfare rights advisor in Middlesbrough. A Parish Councillor for Gainford and Langton, I championed the provision of fun with food activities after lockdown, sports facilities and allotments in the village. 

My priorities if elected are:

  • Education: Tailored to individual needs, ensuring young people achieve their academic potential, giving them the life skills to live full and happy lives.
  • Higher education: Providing a range of opportunities, University, Apprenticeships, and vocational training with a living wage when on placement.
  • Good quality housing: Addressing the needs of residents, affordable housing that is truly affordable to buy or rent.
  • A benefits system for everyone: A universal income giving people of working age the cash flow to manage their finances whether they rent or own their own home.
  • Financial support for farmers: Ensuring sustainable food production supporting nature.
  • Regeneration of town centres: Making them an attractive inviting destination to live, work, visit, and shop in.
  • NHS: Well-funded physical, mental, and dental healthcare.

Rachel Maughan, Transform

I'm tired of feeling I need to choose between Labour and Conservative, and ending up with someone who only chose politics for a lucrative career. I want someone who cares about my town and the people. There wasn't anybody so I stepped up.

We’re failing our children and young adults. They have nothing to do, no positive role models, and no secure future to look forward to. The solution to anti-social behaviour is to regenerate the local area - offering young people training schemes, well-paying jobs, and decent housing.

Instead of representing the British people, Westminster has become a servant of corporations and the mega-rich. They are out-of-touch and we deserve better." 

Jane MacBean, Conservative, Bishop Auckland 

As a community champion, I will always put the constituency and the people who live in it first.

I am not interested in political point-scoring. My priorities are the people, places, and problem-solving and I will deliver jobs, investment, and changes for our constituency, building upon the fantastic work of Dehenna Davison MP.

I am determined to show people I am the strong, electable candidate Bishop Auckland needs.

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to The Northern Echo now for less than £5 a month.

Sam Rushworth, Labour

I care deeply about the Bishop Auckland Constituency – it is where I and my family call home. Fourteen years of the Tories have left our towns and villages worse off and broken our public services. So the choice on July is clear, five more years of chaos with the Tories, or stability and security with a changed Labour Party.

As your MP, I’ll fight for our communities. We’ll deliver economic stability and improve living standards; cut NHS waiting times and fix NHS dentistry; launch a new Border Security Command and empty the asylum hotels; set up Great British Energy, creating thousands of good jobs while cutting bills; crackdown on antisocial behaviour; and recruit 6,500 new specialist teachers to give our children the best start in life.