It’s been a Labour stronghold for decades - and Chris McDonald has continued the party’s winning streak in Stockton North.

Mr McDonald - who takes over from now retired former MP Alex Cunningham - polled 17,128 votes in the count, followed by Reform’s John Gerard McDermottroe, who received 9,189 votes.

Niall Bell Innes, from the Conservatives, followed in third, picking up 8,028 votes in the constituency, which covers the likes of central Stockton, Billingham, and Norton. 

Meanwhile, Samuel Ernest Bradford, from the Green Party, polled 1,923 votes while Jo Barton from the Liberal Democrats came fifth with 1,133.

 

The turnout for the constituency was 53.42% - with 36,526 votes cast. 

Stockton North was formerly a safe seat for Labour until the 2019 General Election, when Mr Cunningham’s majority was slashed to just over 1,000. 

But the marginal seat has once again been made a safe seat following Mr McDonald’s victory. 

The chemical engineer and Materials Processing Institute CEO remained ahead in the prediction polls during the run up to the election, with the Electoral Calculus predicting Labour would hold on to the seat with a 95% chance.

'Really excited to get to work'

Speaking to The Northern Echo at the count in Thornaby following his win, Mr McDonald said: “I’m delighted with the result here in Stockton north but also really raring to go as well. 

“All of the MPs will be called into Parliament next week and I am really excited to get to work and to start on delivering on the priorities here in Stockton North that people have been talking to me about for the last six or seven weeks of campaigning. 

“The top issues people have raised with me in Stockton North are around crime, jobs and the cost of living and the NHS. We have got a very ambitious programme to tackle all of these things in a way that will directly benefit the people here. 


“But also I am standing here because I know I can bring more business investment in industry and manufacturing into the region but good jobs and apprenticeships for young people too and I’m keen to really get started with that.”

Mr Innes told The Echo that he was “disappointed” to lose but congratulated Mr McDonald, who he hopes “will be the voice for change.”

Mr McDermottroe said the result was what he expected: "From a standing start you have got to be happy coming second. It was 9,000 votes so you have got to be happy - we are building a platform for the next elections."

*This is a breaking news story and will continue to be updated*

Full results for Stockton North

LAB - Chris McDonald: 17,128

REF - John McDermottroe: 9,189

CON - Niall Innes: 8,028

GRN - Sam Bradford: 1,923

LD - Jo Barton: 1,133

Majority: 7,939