A HIGH profile member of the Labour Party was in the region this weekend to show her support in one the party’s historically safe seats.

Yvette Cooper visited Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman and her Labour campaigners in Spennymoor on Sunday to talk to them about using all the time available between now and the election next week.

The former Shadow Home Secretary told The Northern Echo “Every vote counts and people need to think hard before they vote.”

“Helen is brilliant. I know how hard she works for this community. She speaks well in Parliament and will speak about Bishop Auckland. She really sticks up for the community and this is the type of person people around here need.

“She never gets tired of standing up for her community. Helen is what this area needs.

“Theresa May wants a Margaret Thatcher style landslide at this election and we need to make sure we stop her.

“People need to think about what they want to happen with the likes of schools, the NHS, the number of police officers on the streets and also the Conservatives plan for this Dementia tax.

“Helen is a strong Labour voice and not only does she speak on her community but she is a strong voice nationally and that is what we need.”

Ms Cooper's visit follows visits by shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth and shadow secretary of state for exiting the European Union Keir Starmer.

Ms Goodman, who met with Mr Ashworth on his visit to discuss the concerns about proposals to close the A&E at Darlington Memorial Hospital, said it was “excellent” to have Ms Cooper’s support.

“She is one of the leading politicians on the left,” said Ms Goodman. “I worked for her in the cabinet for Home Affairs Select Committee.”

Ms Goodman retained the seat for the Bishop Auckland constituency by 3,508 votes in 2015. This is down by nearly 7,000 from when she first ran for the seat in 2005.

Ms Cooper said the increasing number of high profile conservative MP’s, including the Prime Minister, visiting the North-East showed how important it was for people to go out and vote.

“What it shows us is every vote will count and we can’t take anything for granted,” she added. “Helen will look after her constituency. She is very committed.”