Joe Dancey for Stockton West

Good to be speaking to residents in Ingleby Barwick. Cost of living affecting people across our area so good to be speaking about Labour’s positive plan for growth.

Britain needs its economy back on track after Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak sent interest rates and inflation soaring.

Two experienced campaign groups out in Fairfield again today taking the time to speak to residents with myself and Matt for Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner.

Matt Storey grew up in Fairfield so he has the personal knowledge of how government police cuts have unleashed crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. His campaign promise to bring back neighbourhood policing as PCC is just what we need.

Health also came up on street after street with people reporting the crisis in dentistry, GP access, maternity treatment, cancelled operations, lack of mental health support, the challenge of social care and the state of North Tees Hospital.

On a positive note, great to speak to diehard Boro fan residents who have just finished the book 'A Love Letter to Football' by my friend, Mark Davies, about his lifelong support for Middlesbrough FC and how the club has helped get him through cancer. They loved the book as much as I do.

This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle,

This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress built by Nature for herself

Against infection and the hand of war,

This happy breed of men, this little world,

This precious stone set in the silver sea,

Which serves it in the office of a wall,

Or as a moat defensive to a house,

Against the envy of less happier lands,

This blessed plot,

This earth,

This realm,

This England …

Blowing away the cobwebs in the glorious Lake District

Very best wishes for New Year to everyone across Stockton West, Tees Valley and around the UK tonight.

Special thanks go to Thomas from All Saints' Church, Preston-on-Tees for his unique Red Robin festive wreath that is both helping the church’s house building trip to Mexico in 2024 and spreading great cheer with us tonight!

There are well-deserved honours across North Yorkshire and County Durham, but I am particularly pleased to see that His Majesty The King has awarded Professor Pali Hungin OBE a knighthood for services to medicine.

Dr Hungin - as he was then - was my family doctor growing up at the Eaglescliffe Medical Practice on Sunningdale Drive where he worked for nearly 25 years. He was an exceptional GP and still the standard by which I've measured every doctor I've had since.

Since leaving his Eaglescliffe practice, Sir Pali has served as President of the British Medical Association and is Emeritus Professor of General Practice at Newcastle University, amongst many other accolades. His knighthood is richly deserved for a lifetime of service to British medicine and our community.

Elsewhere, I was particularly pleased to see an OBE awarded to Federation of Small Businesses National Chair Martin McTague, who is also a Low Pay Commissioner (where I first started my career for the introduction of the National Minimum Wage).

I've been self-employed for nearly a decade, and joined FSB North East England at a business event at Wynyard Hall in 2016. Since then, I have been pleased to work with Martin plus the NE and national FSB teams to promote the interests of UK small business which is the core of British entrepreneurship and the bedrock of our economy. It is great to have the leader of one of the UK's main enterprise organisations based in North East England, and the FSB have been really effective at challenging successive Conservative PMs and Chancellors' anti-SME policies.

Elsewhere locally, Kevin Shakesheff of Yarm has been recognised with an OBE for his services to young people in business and to the maritime industry, especially as Co-Founder of the High Tide Foundation. Volunteer Jacqueline Savage, 46, from Stockton-on-Tees, was appointed MBE for services to social care.

North Shore Academy staff Mary Boyes and Greta Edwards have received British Empire Medals for services to education, alongside Allan Stokoe of Ingleby Barwick for services to the community in Eldon, North Yorkshire.

I know there are always controversies surrounding the honours system and this year's list has been marred by Liz Truss giving gongs to cronies despite her disastrous and short-lived run as PM.

But wherever you stand on the merits of the system, we shouldn't allow those who bring the system into disrepute to distract from those whose public and community service has rightly put their names in lights. Congratulations to all those who deserved this recognition.

Hope everyone across Stockton West and beyond has had a Merry Christmas today.

Thanks go in particular to those members of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services who have worked hard today to keep us safe.

Christmas is a time for family and friends. This is my favourite card designed and sent by my brother who now lives now thousands of miles away with his wife and their cats.

We all know what it feels like to be apart from family and friends because of distance and also the passing of time. It’s not always easy. But I hope you have been able to remember, share good times and celebrate Christmas this year and make new memories.

Happy Christmas.

Sharing Christmas with family and friends makes the season, but sometimes we need to adapt how we celebrate to ensure we can all continue to enjoy traditions as our circumstances change through life.

This is some helpful advice from Teesside Dementia Link Services about how we can include loved ones with Dementia at a special and also stressful time of the year.

Instead of “levelling up” health across England as promised, NHS Dentistry has collapsed on the Conservatives’ watch since the 2019 election.

There is an alternative. Labour will put an end to this disgrace. Labour will:

🦷 Provide an extra 700,000 urgent dental appointments and reform the NHS dental contract

🦷 Offer incentives for new dentists to work in areas with the greatest need, so that those who need an appointment will be able to get one.

🦷 Introduce supervised toothbrushing in schools for 3-5 year olds, targeted at the areas with highest childhood tooth decay

🦷 Shift the focus to prevention, so that in the long term, everyone who needs NHS dentistry can access it.

Dentistry is the canary in the mine for our NHS under a fifth term of a Conservative government .

Britain needs change. Voting Labour in Stockton West will deliver change.

Vote Labour next year for shorter waiting lists ⬇️

The longer the Tories are in power, the longer patients will wait.

Out and about in Stockton with Chris McDonald for Stockton North and Jack the dog.

Labour’s long tradition of support for national security and defence run from Foreign Secretary Ernie Bevin through Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General, Lord George Robertson and it is right to see Keir Starmer and John Healey MP recommit The Labour Party’s support for British troops out in the Baltic States this Christmas.

NATO was formed in 1949 thanks to the driving force of Bevin and Great Britain’s post-war Labour government. As MP for Stockton West, I will always demand national defence and security is Britain’s first priority, and support our Armed Forces.

What happens when Rishi Sunak gets his hands on “Levelling Up”. Thanks Network “North”! 🗑️

Spirit of 88 🙌🏼

BRING IT ON 💪🏆 https://bbc.in/476n8CG

Voters take their responsibility to our country seriously and good to meet to so many today. Huge amount of respect for lifelong Conservative voters who are weighing up their decision in 2024.

The team spoke about our fully-costed plan for Britain and why my experience of getting things done will deliver more for the new constituency of Stockton West and help Great Britain back on the right track when nothing seems to work today.

Festive cheer spread across Elm Tree Social Club with stalls and prizes at its Christmas Fair this afternoon. I kept the sweets won in the tombola but put back the Incredible Hulk rucksack won back for another lucky winner!

Foot tapping entertainment was provided by the Latte Singers as Elaine Brown conducted renditions of I Saw Three Ships, Feliz Navidad with a finale of Mama Cass for a Christmas in California vibe as Julie led the clapping!

The choir will meet again at the social club’s middle room every Wednesday from mid-January between 6-8pm for rehearsals and singers of all ability are welcome.

Shocking investigation in The Times newspaper this morning about the state of our NHS and access to healthcare after 13 years of Conservative government.

They have cut 2,000 GPs and now patients find it impossible to get an appointment when they need one. Among those patients waiting too long for an appointment will be serious conditions going missed.

Instead, Labour’s fully-costed and fully-funded plan to renew our NHS will:

🤝🏼 Provide 2 million more NHS appointments each year to cut the backlog, with extra evening and weekend slots

🩺 Double the number of medical school places and train thousands more doctors, nurses and midwives each year so that the NHS has the staff it needs to see us on time

👩‍⚕️ Bring back the family doctor by cutting red tape

Next year will see a whole new set of first time voters so I was delighted to speak to the Politics Society at Yarm School in the heart of our new seat of Stockton West who should give us great heart for the future.

Just down the road from where I grew up, I spoke about how Teesside shaped my political upbringing and took questions ranging from Brexit and the benefits of devolution through to why I think we need to resist the Trumpification of politics in the UK.

They’re an impressive group of student and a great credit to its Head of Politics, Mr Edwards, who helps give them a rounded view of politics and current affairs.

It was also good to speak to Yarm’s head teacher, Dr Williams, who has led so much of its expansion and who spoke with passion about its outreach and partnerships across the community - including with my old school at Egglescliffe School.

There are a range of impressive facilities at the school including its auditorium where I saw Michael Portillo speak about his trains back in 2017 … I know, I know.

The school is also home to remarkable rowing facilities on the banks of the River Tees and fittingly alma mater to our region’s first ever gold medal-winning Olympian Katherine Copeland who I watched clinch gold from my office TV as I worked in Olympic Park back on Super Saturday in 2012. Quite the alumna.

I look forward to hearing how these students break their own records in years to come too.

Nice and fresh in Thornaby’s Village Ward! We don’t just call when it’s election time!

Kirklevington was buzzing last night with carols at Kirklevington Village Hall for the lighting of the Christmas tree before Santa dropped by.

Huge amount of effort from Nigel, Reverend Kate and many more across the Parish Council (plus their families!) to make it a fun night that local kids will remember.

Good to meet respected public servants who’ve given decades of dedication to the people of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for decades.

Nice to reminisce about my days doing work experience at the Stockton office of The Northern Echo in 1993 where we reported on council business too and think about people whose contributions are missed today.

Labour’s positive Industrial Strategy will back Britain and the North of England in the sectors that bring good jobs and which remain vital to generate wealth and ensure we stand strong as an independent nation.

Wringing wet this morning at Orchard shops in Eaglescliffe but we don’t just just call at election time or when it’s dry!

What a fantastic night by the Five Lamps in Thornaby singing carols. The choirs from St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School and Christ the King Primary Thornaby were brilliant alongside the band from The Salvation Army - Stockton.

Thank you to The Roundel for their hospitality and Thornaby Town Council. It was brilliant to meet and speak with so many people afterwards. Merry Christmas Thornaby.

Yesterday, I spoke with Labour’s Shadow Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle MP about the leading R&D taking place across Stockton and Darlington.

Pete and I discussed the central role of private sector industrial R&D being undertaken by firms across the whole North East alongside regional world-class innovation centres like CPI as well as Teesside University and Durham University which draw upon the experience of residents across Stockton West.

I have spent my career getting things done in both private and public sectors and, having been self-employed since 2015, I have a track record of experience helping firms across the Tees Valley attract millions of pounds for innovation and jobs here.

Unfortunately recent years show short-term fixes won’t work. Instead of “levelling-up” the North of England as voters were promised, Stockton just gets talked down and slurred in the House of Commons by ministers. Last year, Rishi Sunak cancelled the industrial strategy that even Theresa May thought was vital for our country.

Things are not working and the country needs change.

Peter Kyle was clear about the role that NE innovation plays in Labour’s long-term Industrial Strategy which will better enable the Tees Valley to succeed. I look forward to standing up for Stockton West by working with him to improve innovation support here after the General Election.

I’d like to wish the Jewish community across the Tees Valley and beyond a happy Chanukah.

Chanukah Sameach.

Weekend seems a long time ago now but was great to be out and about in Yarm with McEwan for Mayor and Ingleby Barwick with Matt for Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner and speaking to residents in Hartburn it’s clear they’ve had enough of the way Britain is being run.

With food inflation running above 10 per cent and energy bills still out of control it’s terrible to hear people won’t put the heating on even when there’s snow on the ground.

Oh no. What's he said about Stockton this time?!

Don’t mind admitting I got drenched but great to spend time out in Hurworth this morning.

They told me they’ve not seen as much of the new representative they gained in 2019 as they had been promised, so I could assure them that I’ll be a hard working constituency MP in wards that just feel naturally closer to Darlington than Stockton.

Don’t tell James Cleverly but Yarm and Stockton was out in force yesterday for the lighting of the Christmas tree in the High Street!

Wrapping up the weekend with the service to celebrate the first Sunday of Advent at St Andrew’s Church in the village of Sadberge in County Durham.

Expertly led choir as the first candle was lit and the Christmas period is truly underway.

Took a trip into Narnia at St Francis of Assisi Church, Ingleby Barwick Christmas Tree Festival with Reverend Brenda who emphasised the importance of hope for our whole community.

Left my prayer on a tree having gone “through the wardrobe” and good to see how many local charities, businesses, schools and groups are supporting the church and Ingleby Barwick.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … and Yarm has the picture perfect backdrop for Yarm Town Council tree lighting this afternoon in the High Street.

Also popped in to see Yarm Wellness and volunteer Ed has done an incredible job clearing snow from its entrance on High Church Wynd so it is ready for the Community Christmas Fair from 12-3pm.

Drive carefully but get along and support their great work and the traders!

First mince pie of the festive period came courtesy of the launch of Cafe Magdalene at Yarm Parish Church.

Brainchild of Reverend Darren to open the church out to the community, the team of volunteers with teapots, coffee machine and homemade cake will be open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays going forward.

Great to see so much support from the church and Yarm Town Council in a place where I’ve seen friends wed and with its beautiful backdrop on the River Tees.

Lovely to join Reverend Paul and Holy Trinity with St Mark Church for its Christmas Fayre after the Herculean task of repairing the church from flooding.

The church looks fantastic and great to see so many people from across Stockton coming together raise money for the community - plus David Patterson who played the Last Post so beautifully at Hartburn’s Remembrance service last month.

First Sunday service tomorrow morning so please think about joining them.

Teesside industry helped build the world. This heritage is not just part of our past but fundamental to our identity and a successful future too.

So I fully support McEwan for Mayor pledge to protect the Transporter Bridge for future generations and you can support his campaign via the link below.

Today I am pledging to save our Transporter Bridge.

I will use Network North funding to repair our iconic bridge that stands as a testament to our area’s proud heritage

Whilst the Tories talk down Teesside in Parliament and allow our iconic landmarks to fall apart, I will fight for our region.

Share your views on my survey below (link in comments) 👇