Today, Labour leader Keir Starmer visited Hartlepool to support Labour MP by-election candidate Dr. Paul Williams.
Mr. Starmer and Mr. Williams visited the EDF nuclear power station today to promote the creation and protection of jobs in the area. This comes after Hartlepool industries have been threatened with closure.
Fantastic visit with Keir Starmer to Hartlepool power station today talking about how vital the good jobs here are to the town pic.twitter.com/vd27ovz7qn
— Dr Paul Williams (@PaulWilliamsLAB) March 30, 2021
Dr. Paul Williams has worked on the frontline throughout the Coronavirus pandemic at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and appears to be a hopeful candidate for the upcoming election in May.
“Hartlepool’s Labour MP candidate has already been busy”
Earlier this month, MP Mike Hill resigned following allegations of sexual harassment – which he denied – prompting a by-election due to take place on Thursday 6 May.
Mr. Williams is set to fight for local hospital services, police on the streets, and jobs in the town; issues which have long been neglected.
Hartlepool’s Labour MP candidate has already been busy, bringing back the 24 hour doctors to the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
This is fantastic news for these families and for Hartlepool. I brought back the 24hr doctors at Hartlepool Hospital and I've got a plan to bring back more services. https://t.co/Cvr2rEYHVq
— Dr Paul Williams (@PaulWilliamsLAB) March 29, 2021
“The Tory record here is dismal…When they came to power there was an A&E in Hartlepool, a magistrates’ court in the town, and a fully custody suite at the police station”, said Keir Starmer.
“That has all gone and people feel that sense of loss.”
The steel building industry, in particular, has come under increased strain over recent years. This industry has always been a crucial asset to this seaside town and is unfortunately being threatened with closure, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
“Mr Williams will be up against farmer and district councillor”
“The nuclear power station here is a major employer and there is strong backing locally for new nuclear. But the government has no proper plan for the future of our power network”, said Dr Paul Williams.
He then added, “The 1945 Labour government gave birth to the civil nuclear industry and the next Labour government would back the industry in the future too. The Labour Party is under new leadership nationally and locally and people are looking at labour again.”
Mr Williams will be up against farmer and district councillor Jill Mortimer who has been selected by the Conservative Party to campaign for the position of Hartlepool’s next MP.
Madeleine Raine
Featured image courtesy of Ben Clayton via Unsplash. This image has in no way been altered. Image license is available here.
Madeleine Raine
Mads is a 23-year-old History graduate from Newcastle University. She is passionate about current affairs and British news, with a keen interest in investigative features. Aside from this, she is an avid reader, photographer, and yogi.