LABOUR MP Grahame Morris has confirmed that he will be standing for re-election in his Easington set.

Mr Morris, who enjoys an overwhelming majority in the constituency, said today: "We are awaiting the details of the procedures, but it is my intention to seek the nomination and stand as Labour candidate in Easington."

Reacting to the Prime Minister's decision to seek a General Election, he added: "It is extremely opportunistic on the part of Theresa May, when she denied strenuously any intention to have a snap general election only a matter of a few weeks ago.

"My thoughts are, we had the referendum on Brexit. She is running scared. Presumably on the basis of advice from her own negotiating team of the consequences of what the final deal is going to be.

"She is going to seize the opportunity of the current political advantage that she apparently enjoys in the polls to try and silence all opposition to it.

"It is quite right that Parliament is robust in its scrutiny and examination of the implications of Brexit in the fact that she feels that is unacceptable flies in the face of role of Parliament. She wants no opposition to that."

He added: “The election is about broader issues. On a daily basis, there are stories about the National Health Service, about the failures in social care, about pressure on school budgets.

"And about Labour’s policies that have been released over the last few weeks in relation to guaranteeing triple lock for pensioners, support for small businesses. On a whole range of issues - on the NHS and social care - we are proving to be popular and I think it’s all to play for this election.

"Previously the polls have been wrong. We now have major impact from social media and other networks people get their information on shared views. It’s all to play for.”

Commenting on Iain Wright’s decision to stand down he said: "I wish him well. It is extraordinarily pressurised and difficult, but I wish him well.

"He has been a good colleague over a number of years and I wish him well for the future."