NORTH East politicians have begun drawing battle lines across the region after Rishi Sunak called a snap summer election.

After feverish speculation throughout Wednesday, the Prime Minister has confirmed that the nation will go to the polls at a general election on July 4.

Eyes in the North East are expected to be on whether the Tories can hang on to any seats here, with Labour holding a substantial lead in the polls of around 20 points and some analysis predicting that Rishi Sunak’s party could be on course for an electoral wipeout across our region.

READ MORE: County's final Labour candidate confirmed for general election

It comes hot on the heels of the historic election of Labour’s Kim McGuinness as the first North East mayor and a set of local elections that saw the Tories suffer heavy losses around the country.

The last general election in 2019 saw the Conservatives, under Boris Johnson’s leadership, sprung shocks to claim a number of ‘red wall’ seats from Labour – the likes of Blyth Valley, North West Durham, Bishop Auckland, and Sedgefield.

But it has been suggested the Conservatives could now face an uphill battle not only to hang on to any of those areas, but also others where they have more traditionally enjoyed success.

That includes Guy Opperman’s Hexham constituency and the new North Northumberland seat, which will have Morpeth added to Anne-Marie Trevelyan’s existing Berwick seat.

The mood among the region’s Labour politicians on Wednesday afternoon was “bring it on”.
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne said that, after 14 years in power since 2010, the Conservatives would “leave a legacy of a crisis in our NHS, schools crumbling, dumping sewage in our waterways, and slashing budgets”.

Scott Dickinson, the leader of Northumberland Labour, added: “Northumberland and the North East has been badly let down by the Conservatives both locally at the council and nationally.

“Local people are desperate for change, they want hope and opportunity and it’s only Labour that can deliver that now.”

But Northumberland Conservative chair Richard Wearmouth talked up his party’s record in the county, which will be the subject of plenty of attention come election night.

He said: “Northumberland has seen record investment from this government, in stark contrast to the Blair years where the people of the North East were ignored and their votes taken for granted by Labour.

“The Northumberland Line, Borderlands Growth Deal, the Devolution Deal, Town Deals, Future High Street Fund, Heritage Action Zones – it has all happened under the Conservatives and we look forward to taking our case to the residents of our amazing county.”
 
John McCabe, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said Mr Sunak’s decision to call a snap summer election “will be seen as the right one by many of our members”. 

He added: “Offering the country the opportunity to go to the polls on July 4 will allow people, businesses and communities here in the North East the opportunity to have their say on an important five years ahead. The region has already made clear decisions on devolution with May’s successful mayoral elections. 

“In the course of the campaign we will be urging all major parties to build on these strengths and put regional power, flexibility and voice at the heart of their manifestos.

“On behalf of our members we will continue to advocate for policies that drive a stronger, fairer North East and get the best deal for our great region. We have the people, skills and plans ready: a government with a clear mandate and renewed energy will have a powerful partner here in the North East.”

Ms McGuinness, who has seen a general election called just two weeks into her term as mayor, said the North East “will welcome the chance” to go to the polls again.

She added: “It’s time we elect a Labour Government who will invest in good jobs, rebuild public services and hand power to regions like ours so we can fight child poverty and create opportunity.”

Jamie Driscoll, the former independent North of Tyne mayor, said the election was “not a day too soon” but claimed that a Labour government would not deliver major change.

Mr Driscoll left Labour last year after he was barred from standing against Ms McGuinness to become the party’s North East mayoral candidate.

He said: “In six weeks we’ll see the back of the Conservatives, and not a day too soon. But nothing substantial will change – Keir Starmer has broken every promise he made, Labour won’t fix our public services, tackle the climate emergency or rebalance our economy. If anyone is standing to actually fix these problems and wants my support, please get in touch.”

There have been questions over whether Mr Driscoll, who finished second to Ms McGuinness in the North East mayoral election this month, could stand as a Parliamentary candidate but the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that is unlikely at this stage.

Newcastle councillor Thom Campion, the Lib Dem candidate for Cramlington and Killingworth, said his party was “ready” for July 4.

He added: “Residents across the North East have told us time and time again that they want rid of this Tory Government that has so obviously outstayed its welcome. 

“Whether it’s cleaning our rivers and waterways, or creating a more caring society, Liberal Democrats are demanding a fair deal for residents in the North East and we’re ready to get stuck in fighting for the best for our region and our country.”

How Reform UK performs in the North East will also be fascinating to watch – both in terms of taking votes from the Tories and its hopes of challenging Labour in some target seats.

Paul Donaghy finished fourth as the party’s candidate in the recent mayoral election, but performed particularly strongly in Sunderland and is now standing as a Parliamentary candidate in Washington and Gateshead South.

This election will be the first held under new constituency boundaries that will reduce the number of seats in the North East from 29 to 27 – with the North Tyneside and North West Durham seats being abolished and others being reshaped and renamed.

Blyth Valley, won by Tory Ian Levy in 2019, will be divided up between a Cramlington and Killingworth constituency and a Blyth and Ashington seat.

Cramlington and Killingworth will also take in some existing wards from North Tyneside, whose current Labour MP Mary Glindon will be standing in Newcastle East and Wallsend.

Sitting Newcastle East MP Nick Brown, who is now an independent after leaving the Labour Party, will be stepping down at this election – bringing an end to his long stint in Westminster.
Gateshead Labour MP Ian Mearns is also due to stand down at the election, after 14 years in Parliament.

The North West Durham seat, currently occupied by Tory Party chairman Richard Holden, is due to be divided up between Bishop Auckland, North Durham, and the new Blaydon and Consett constituency.

There has been speculation surrounding where Mr Holden will stand after his seat’s abolition and his destination has not yet been confirmed.

Another MP set to depart the region’s political scene is Dehenna Davison, one of the Tories who formed part of the party’s 2019 intake.

Ms Davison is not seeking re-election in her Bishop Auckland seat and said on Wednesday that the shock decision to call the July 4 poll had been “a lot to digest”.

She said that serving as an MP “has been bloody hard, but it has also been the greatest honour of my life”, adding: “I regret that I haven’t been able to deliver all that I hoped to – particularly bringing A&E services back to Bishop Auckland Hospital. But I will support my successor, of whatever party, to ensure local healthcare is improved to the level that local residents deserve.”