2 weeks ago, Darlington had the honour of being visited by the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP. Out on the streets of the town, the Labour leader was out campaigning for the Tees Valley Mayoral Labour Candidate, Chris McEwan, and speaking to those out on the streets and those running local businesses about the issues they are facing.

Sir Keir Starmer told us: "There is no substitute for being out of Westminster and in local communities, so it was brilliant to meet students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington. Hearing of their passion for politics was heartening, and I've no doubt they have bright futures ahead. I look forward to seeing their careers develop from afar.

 

"Rachel Reeves and I also had the pleasure of visiting local businesses in Darlington, where we heard first hand the challenges local people are facing. We heard how the soaring cost of living, eye-watering mortgage and rent payments, and a widening gap in earnings with London are crippling Darlington's future.

 

“And despite everything 14 years of Conservative government has thrown at it, Darlington has talent, hope and ambition in bucket loads. From high-street traders to cafe owners to students, the pride in their work and in their town is clear for all to see. Imagine what could be achieved with a Labour government that backs them.

 

"My mission-driven government will do just that. We will reverse the years of Conservative decline by growing the economy to put more money in the pockets of working people, rebuilding our public services, making our streets safe and breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child."

 

After what has been a great week for the Labour Party, according to the media, with many gains across the country in Local elections and surprising win in the West Midlands Mayor election, it appears that the support for Labour is growing and that maybe visits like these like these, speaking to working people all across the country, may make all the difference in a elections to come.


It is without doubt that Darlington, now a swing seat, whenever the next general election is, will be an important battleground that could impact British politics on a national scale and that visits will like this may be crucial in swinging the vote.