ALL three main political parties are launching their campaigns to woo voters in both the county council and general elections on June 7.
The man selected to fight the North Durham seat for Labour, where MP Giles Radice is standing down, is Kevan Jones, 37, who has resigned his Newscatle City council seat. Standing for the Conservatives is Matthew Palmer and Carole Field fights the corner for the Liberal Democrats. The constiuency includes Stanley and Chester-le-Street.
Mr Radice announced earlier this year he would retire at the next election after representing the Labour seat since 1973. He won with a majority of 26,299 at the last election.
Hilary Armstrong, the minister for local government, currently holds Durham North-West, which comprises Consett and much of Derwentside and Weardale, with a 24,754 majority. The Labour MP will be up against Durham-born Conservative Will Clouston and Liberal Democrat Gateshead councillor for Whickham, Alan Ord.
Nominations for the general elections close on May 22, while nominations for the county elections were closing this Thursday.
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