THE old saying would have us believe that a monkey with a red rosette pinned to its chest would win an election in Hartlepool.

It is a working-class town with good old socialist values, built up as a port serving the North-East coal, steel and shipbuilding industries.

The honest and uncompromising locals have a long history of voting Labour - the last Conservative MP was Commander John Kerans in 1959.

But at the last major election in the town, in 2002, the red rosette was not the victorious one.

The blue and white flags were the ones flying the highest two years ago when one of the most astonishing results in political history unfolded.

For Hartlepool United's mascot - call centre worker Stuart Drummond dressed in an ape's costume - won the race to become the town's first directly-elected mayor.

Mr Drummond, who campaigned dressed as the mascot H'Angus, dispelled that rosette rubbish, but gave some credence to the monkey myth.

Peter Mandelson, visibly shocked at the result and privately furious, put on a brave face in front of the nation's media and insisted he would work with the new first citizen for the good of the town.

Two years on, their relationship has improved but Mr Drummond was given a tough time in the early months of his civic career.

Mr Mandelson would know just how he felt.

In 1989, the rising star of the Labour Party won the vote to fight for the seat which was being vacated by the long-serving and much-loved Ted Leadbitter.

London-born and Oxford-educated Mr Mandelson had to overcome locals grumbling about him not being one of them and the suspicion surrounding the Prince of Darkness title he acquired while working as Labour's director of communications.

He was branded "a carpet-bagger" with no previous connection with either Hartlepool or the North-East, given a safe seat as a thank you for the work he had done behind the scenes.

Subsequent elections appear to have proved, however, that his popularity has grown at a similar rate to his profile and notoriety.

Two embarrassing resignations from cabinet clearly didn't put off the electorate as he followed up his 1992 win with an increased majority in 1997 and a resounding victory in 2001.

The 2001 triumph, months after he made history by quitting for the second time, was the catalyst for an emotional post-count speech.

"Before this campaign started, it was said I was facing political oblivion, my career in tatters, apparently never to be part of political life again," he told the crowd. "Well, they underestimated Hartlepool and they underestimated me because I am a fighter, not a quitter."

Today, however, for whatever reason, the mood appears very different and the support he enjoyed is no longer there.

Whether it is tales of his jet-setting around the world on business and to make speeches or his perceived lack of interest in the town, something is not quite right.

Outside of the Labour Party, it is genuinely difficult to find anyone in Hartlepool with a kind word to say about their soon-to-be-departing MP.

Jobless Neil Bromley, 48, summed up the mood yesterday with his offering: "He's done absolutely nowt for Hartlepool."

However, the former leader of the Labour group on Hartlepool Borough Council, Moss Boddy, would argue with that.

Mr Boddy, who lost his council seat in last month's local elections, but is considering going for Mr Mandelson's old job, said: "He will be a hard act to follow."

He added: "Despite Peter's apparent interests elsewhere, he was really very good for Hartlepool."

Businessman and residents' association chairman Ron Clark, 57, also spoke in glowing terms but said he would like his next MP to have roots in the North-East.

"He has worked very hard to be able to fit in his Hartlepool duties with all the other things he had to do, especially when he was in the cabinet," said Mr Clark.

"I think he tried his best."

Fellow drinkers in the Smallcrafts Association club were not so generous or diplomatic.

Out-of-work quality control inspector Peter Braithwaite, 55, said: "I'll be glad to see the back of him. He's done nothing for this town."

Paul Rogerson, a 28-year-old barman, said: "When Stuart Drummond ran for mayor, it was just a prank - but when he got in and it became reality he had to work hard.

"For a young lad, I think he has done a much better job than Mandelson."

In the centre of town, Maxine Leck, 34, a kitchen assistant, said: "The Labour Party is a shambles.

"How Tony Blair can hire Peter Mandelson to this post is totally beyond me after everything he's done.

"It's not a good decision for the country but it might be for Hartlepool - he has not been good for the town."

Brian Dukes, 71, a retired steel worker. said: "Here we go again with the old pals act between Blair and Mandelson.

"As far as I am concerned - and most of Hartlepool I think - it is jolly good riddance.

"He might be good at what the European Commission does but I wouldn't want to see him back and I hope he's gonefor good."

Social club steward Les Steel, 58, said Mr Mandelson was a carpetbagger and demanded local candidates to choose from at the by-election.

"We don't want anyone forced on us again," he said.

"Mandelson wasn't one of us. He didn't have a clue what makes us tick.

"My hope is that there are lots of good local candidates who could do a decent job for the town."

He'd even consider voting for a monkey - regardless of its rosette - as long as it was born in Hartlepool.