Darlington MP candidates: Q&A with Labour's Lola McEvoy

As we gear up, we've been chatting to candidates who are standing in Darlington to see what they are all about.

Here's our chat with Labour's candidate Lola McEvoy.

Lola, tell us a bit about yourself.

Lola began: “I grew up off North Road. I’m from the town and I love it. I had a fantastic start in life here and I am excited to stand for my hometown – it’s an incredible privilege.

“I think there are things that need to be done to make the opportunities for young people better. We are at a fork in the road.

“A Labour government will bring more opportunities to the North East and our town and enable everyone to thrive. That’s really important to me because I had a great set-up here.

“My mum was a teacher at Carmel, and my dad was a nurse at North Tees - they did really well under a Labour government. That’s the important thing to note.”

What are your main priorities heading into the election, what do you want to get across to voters?

She said: “Knocking on the doors in Darlington, I have spoken to over 5,000 people. As you know, it is a battleground seat.

“The main themes that come across to me with everyone that I speak to is that people need security. That is first and foremost – whether it is financial security, economic security or the security of knowing there is a GP appointment there when they need it.

“The second one really is the opportunity to thrive and the future for their children. The other thing that comes up really strongly, and this is something that I feel deeply, is a sense of community in Darlington.

“It is a wonderful place to live and it’s a great place to grow up people are really proud of the town.”

She added: “I have been very keen to push an agenda on mental health. In my immediate friendship group, but also right the way across the town, mental health is at a crisis point for children.

“We have got a CAMHS waiting list that is all too long, it’s taking too long for children to be seen which inevitably delays their opportunity to thrive. With mental health, there is also a men’s mental health crisis in the region.

“We have the highest male suicide rate in the country. Whether I do win or lose, I want to raise awareness on male suicide there are a lot of preventable deaths if we had the services and early intervention.”

Lola then went on to discuss climate change, saying she will fight “tooth and nail” to bring green industry here and for the town to be a leader in fighting the crisis.

She said: “Climate change is happening and someone is going to make some money on finding the solution to climate change and going green. Why can’t it be the north east and Darlington?

“I want us to properly level up. when people talk about levelling up their face crumples and they feel like they have been let down. What we want to do, is we want to build our economy up on the industry of the future.

“That’s not good for young people and for the climate, it’s good for everyone who works here.”

When asked to specify, said “anything” that will help tackle climate change and be a part of green industrial development.

What do you think is the single biggest issue facing people in Darlington right now?

Lola swiftly responded with the cost of living. 

She said: “The number one priority for a labour government is to stabilise the economy and bring down the cost of living. It is absolutely hitting everybody.

“What has confirmed we are right on this is the diversity of people who are struggling with the cost of living.

“It’s not just people in low-wage jobs - it is everybody. Liz Truss’ economic gamble has wrecked people's personal finances.”

The Echo recently ran a piece stating that business owners in Darlington are losing hundreds each day as the shoplifting epidemic is on the rise. Does this concern you?

She said: “I think it’s absolutely desperate. You see it when you go around shops - security tags on things like baby formula

“For me, that’s a real sad state of affairs. I think we are going to have to put more bobbies on the beat and frankly, we have to be tough on anti-social behaviour.

“But ultimately, we need to put more money into people's pockets and get them into paid work quickly. We have a ticking time bomb economically with the rising number of people out of work.”

Speaking to residents we have heard a lot of dismay about the loss of the fireworks at the hands of the Labour council as well as the re-introduction of parking charges. Should you be elected, can the town expect to lose more?

Lola said: “First of all, I used to go to the fireworks when I was little and I loved it. So when I saw that we had to end the fireworks, I was absolutely devastated. It was a free night out – no matter your income bracket.

“But unfortunately there are tough decisions that have to be made when the economy has crashed. This is a direct result of underinvestment over 14 years.

“The Labour council has had millions cut from their budget and any money that does come in is a drop in the ocean to rectify that.

“I would work with our Tees Valley Mayor— I’d be knocking on his door asking him to put the free parking back into town. Because, actually, It does make a difference. It makes a difference to the shops.”

Your opponent Peter Gibson has said he is incredibly proud of the treasury coming to Darlington as part of levelling up the town. Do you think levelling up in Darlington has worked?

Lola replied: “On the treasury jobs, I think it’s absolutely brilliant. We want more civil servant jobs coming to Darlington - I think it’s fantastic that the treasury building is here.

“It was Harold Wilson who started the move for the civil service to come out of Westminster so it’s not really a new idea.

“In terms of levelling up - I think it’s been over-promised and under-delivered for our area. The jobs that are here are welcome, but I want to see more opportunities for our young people to succeed and it has to be in industry.

“Real levelling up would be proper industry here, employing local people for generations to come.”

This year the Labour Party has been campaigning on the slogan of change, saying that this is a new, changed party. Do you think this message has cut through?

Lola said: “We have done a lot of work – it has been hard but Keir's leadership has been phenomenal on this issue.

“What he has said is that we are putting the country first, not the Labour Party. What we are seeing with the Conservatives at the moment is almost like we are watching them put the party first and not the country.

“The decisions they are making are all about retaining power for themselves. They won’t make the tough decisions they are just trying to get gimmicks and headlines.

“It’s really come to the fore as you look at just how chaotic their election campaign has been.”

“Rishi Sunak cannot get his own house in order and so he is not fit for government. The fact is, Keir Starmer is ready to lead and we want to put decency back into politics.

“The people of Darlington I have spoken to have said thank you for changing - thank you for listening.”

What would you say to voters to urge them to vote for you on July 4?

Lola replied: “In Darlington, right the way across the town, people have been turning to Labour. What I would say to them is it is time for change - we have got your back.

“Labour is on the side of working people and if you feel better off after 14 years of conservative government that’s one thing. If you don’t, you must vote for change.

“If you want change you have to vote for it. Don't believe the polls, believe in a better future for our town.”