CHANGE could soon be on the horizon for the constituency, which looks ahead to the election this week.

The General Election is scheduled for Thursday, July 4 and some polls suggest a change is impending for both the country and the constituency.

Hexham's seat, which has been Conservative for almost 100 years, could turn red for the first time as indicated by polls including YouGov's first MRP projection of the election campaign published on June 3.

READ MORE: Labour forecast to win Hexham seat in historic victory

Parliamentary candidates for Hexham include Liberal Democrat Dr Nick Cott, Labour's Joe Morris, and Hexham's former Conservative MP, Guy Opperman.

William Clouston of the Social Democratic Party, Nick Morphet of the Green Party and Chris Whaley, an independent candidate, are also in the running for Hexham's next MP.

At a hustings event on June 27, the candidates were quizzed on how they would protect rural areas from a loss of services.

Some towns, such as Haltwhistle, have no banks for residents while other towns have seen the closure of pubs and shops.

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Labour candidate Joe Morris said: "If I am lucky enough to be sent to Parliament as this constituency's first-ever Labour MP, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our area is at the heart of the next government. After 100 years of Conservative representation in Westminster, a Labour MP will re-energise our area and deliver the change this constituency needs."

More in Common published a new model on June 19 predicting Labour will win 406 seats in the General Election on July 4 - a majority of 162, while the Conservatives are expected to hold just 155 seats.

The model also suggests Conservatives will be replaced by Labour in Hexham, with 55 per cent compared to the Tories' 36 per cent. 

Hexham town councillor Penny Grennan, who represents the Gilesgate ward, said: "This is our opportunity to end 100 years of Tory MPs in this constituency and now, as in 1997, is our chance. We need a change here that reflects the change in Government in Westminster. The worst scenario would be keeping the same Tory MP who will end up being in opposition to a Labour government. Nothing would ever get done then."

Conservative candidate and former Hexham MP Guy Opperman said: “I have championed the local people of Tynedale and ask for your support on July 4. I have managed to get all four local high schools rebuilt, got £15 million more money to expand Hexham Hospital and protected our green belt. I have a record of action and promise of much more. Labour have said they will put up your taxes, flatten the green belt and have no plan for Hexham."

Town and county councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken, who represents Hexham East, said: "It may seem as though Hexham has been a political stronghold forever, and indeed, it has been a century since the last change of representation in Parliament. 

"However, even more recently our Hexham Town Council had a ‘mini-revolution’ of sorts in the 2021 election where no ‘one party’ dominated the council as it had done for decades before – it was replaced by a cross-party of diverse and progressive councillors who work tirelessly to promote this town.

"That feat alone demonstrated that we have more in common than that which divides us, and we can work together for common goals. Change can and does happen in Hexham, and it really does feel like it’s possible this election: it may even be historic. So please get out there on Thursday and vote for something different, because every vote really matters this time.

"If you don’t vote you don’t get a say in how things are run or even to complain about the state of things. The polling stations dotted around Hexham are: West End Methodist Church, Trinty Methodist Church and the Torch Centre."

She added Hexham's mayor, Derek Kennedy, and herself will visit polling stations to help residents.

Cllr Kennedy said: "It's an important election on Thursday and everyone should exercise their vote. It only comes round once every five years for the General Election and it's important people have their say."

Dr Nick Cott, Liberal Democrat candidate, said: "The Liberal Democrats have had a very good election campaign. Our manifesto has attracted a lot of positive attention, not least our plans for helping families – a windfall tax to help with the cost of energy and free school meals for primary school children.

"People like our policies about investing in the NHS and providing free personal care and support for carers.

"As Liberal Democrats we recognise that to make our economy stronger we have to renegotiate our disastrous Brexit deal and that politics needs to be changed to make Parliament and our Government more representative of the people it serves with a change to the voting system so all votes count.

"Every vote cast for the Liberal Democrats is a positive vote for a fresh start, so please vote for me on July 4."