Shock, praise and campaign vows: The region's MPs react to snap election, as two confirm they will stand down

However, fellow Labour MPs in the Tees Valley including Jenny Chapman, Anna Turley and Alex Cunningham all announced their intention to stand.

Teesside’s only Conservative MP James Wharton also said he will stand again in the Stockton South constituency.

Mr Blenkinsop has served as MP in his home constituency since 2010.

He said: “I will not be seeking re-election as the member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

“I have made no secret about my significant and irreconcilable differences with the current Labour leadership.

"It is because of these differences I feel I cannot in good faith stand as the Labour candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.”

Simon Clarke, the Conservative parliamentary spokesman for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said he would be the Tory party’s candidate for the seat.

Meanwhile, Jenny Chapman, Labour MP for Darlington, said she would be standing again to fight to save services at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Her main rival could again be Peter Cuthbertson for the Conservatives, who she beat by a majority of just over 3,000 in 2015. He is currently a councillor for the City of Westminster.

Describing the seat as “completely winnable”, he said: “I will definitely be putting myself forward for the selection to run again as the Conservative candidate for Darlington.”

Mr Wharton, as he threw his hat in the ring, said: “This is the most important election for a generation. It is not just about what happens to the UK at home, but our place in the world.”

Ms Turley said: "Neither Theresa May nor the Conservative Party have a mandate for their government so it is right to go to the public, although the timing of her change of heart seems to be politically motivated rather than in the best interests of the country.”

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham also confirmed would stand again.

North West Durham Labour MP Pat Glass was the second of the region's MPs to say she will not seek re-election in June.

Mrs Glass had previously confirmed she would stand down in 2020, but has now brought that decision forward.

She said: “I’ve already made my decision and that decision stands. It’s the right thing for me and my constituents."

She added: "I know nothing about the selection process, so far. That is down to the National Executive Committee.

"I imagine it will be a shortened process, but what kind of shortened process I have no idea."

Reacting to news of the snap election, she said: "I am not surprised at all. I think in the current circumstances it was almost inevitable."

Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, said she would be seeking the party's nomination to stand again, and added: “I am very surprised, in fact genuinely astonished. She (Theresa May) said she wasn’t going to do it (call a snap General Election). I think she is wrong. We gave her a big majority to trigger Article 50 to crack on with it (Brexit). Instead we are now having this diversion for two or three months.

“I think Labour has got some messages about Brexit, protecting manufacturing, protecting farmers and putting an end to the cuts.

“I think the fact that recent elections have been unpredictable, she (Theresa May) might just trip up."

Sedgefield's Labour MP Phil Wilson said: “My intention is to fight the next election and win in Sedgefield based on Labour values which I’ve always had.

“I have a proven track record of looking after the constituency and will continue doing that into the future.

“It’s going to be a very intense (in the run up), like any general election.

“The things we need to focus on going forward is the NHS and economy which everybody shares."

He added: “Considering that Theresa May said she would not have an early election, it seems to me that she doesn’t feel her position in her own party is that secure.

“She’s got a group of Tory MPs who are very hard Brexit and wants to ensure that she has the mandate going forward."

City of Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said she will be seeking re-election for the Labour Party.

She said: “It’s a bit of a shock but I think it gives Labour a chance to put its case to the country. I’ll be doing my best to present what an alternative Labour government would be like.

“We have to see it as a positive and get out and really fight and get the Labour message across.

“I’m going to view it as a positive opportunity to get rid of this government.”

Liberal Democrat Amanda Hopgood, currently the opposition leader at Durham County Council, will be standing against her.

The Conservative and Green parties are yet to select a candidate.

In North Yorkshire, Richmond's Conservative MP Rishi Sunak welcomed Theresa May's decision.

He said: "As we enter this critical period in the history of the UK's relationship with Europe and the rest of the world there needs to be certainty and stability in Westminster about the Government's position as it enters negotiations to leave the European Union.

"The negotiations will reach their most difficult stage in the run-up to the next scheduled General Election. Division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit and cause uncertainty and instability.

"A General Election is the best way to end that uncertainty and ensure Britain's negotiating team is in the strongest position when talks with the EU begin."

Fellow Conservative Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said he was very surprised by the announcement.

But he added: “I understand the reasons why the Prime Minister has decided to make it. I think it is a very strong decision by Theresa May as we have come to expect. She is buoyed up by our lead in the polls and we are going to have to work very hard to make sure we return a good majority.

“The Prime Minister feels it is recognition that there will be some very challenging negotiations with a tight timescale, and challenging issues including immigration.

“To make a success of these negotiations is key, and at some point in time all these decisions have to be approved by the house, to have a strong majority will be a big factor and a significant advantage for the Prime Minister.”

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, confirmed he would be standing for re-election and said: “The past year has seen momentous changes in politics. It has been a time of great uncertainty. The best way to (end that uncertainty) is to secure a Parliamentary majority in an election where all parties can put their case to the electorate and the electorate can decide the future direction of our country."

He added: "I love the area in which I live. I enjoy taking up campaigns on behalf of local people and dealing with issues on behalf of constituents. I hope that residents feel I have given a level of service to them that is worthy of their support.

“Between now and June 8 I will be putting that record in front of constituents and asking them to back me once again.”

Labour's Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, criticised the decision to call an election and said the Government should instead be focusing on crucial Brexit negotiations.

Mrs Maskell tweeted: "How much more reckless can she get, in the midst of the most important negotiations over the country's future."

She added: “There’s about 18 months for these Brexit negotiations to take place and for the first two months of those we will not be at the negotiating table.

“To call it at the most crucial stage is purely a political act."

She backed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to oust Theresa May to become the next Prime Minister.

“I think people will recognise the path they have been led down over the last couple of years and I think Labour have got a clear, strong message on the economy," she added.

“I can see no reason why Jeremy Corbyn cannot be the next Prime Minister. He has the strongest mandate of any political leader in this country, the Prime Minister has not got one at all.

“I’m confident of Labour’s programme for Government.”