MPs at opposite ends of he political spectrum will be going head to head in the region on Thursday evening.

The BBC’s topical debate programme Question Time is heading to County Durham – with two political heavyweights among the panellists.

Long-serving chairman David Dimbleby will invite guests from the worlds of politics and media to Bishop Auckland Town Hall to answer questions posed by members of the public.

And confirmed political rivals, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg and chairman of the Labour Party and North-East MP, Ian Lavery will feature on the panel.

Mr Lavery, who grew up in the mining communities of the North, recently described the pair as “polar opposites” in terms of upbringing and political views.

His Eton-educated opponent, born and bred in the South, has been described as a traditionalist, right-wing Tory with strong views on Brexit as he backed the Leave campaign.

However, Wansbeck MP, Mr Lavery, is a Remain supporter and with a background in mining and trade unions and has strong social views, particularly on social issues such a foodbanks and zero-hour contracts.

Mr Rees-Mogg has said he supports zero-hour contracts which he feels benefit both businesses and employees while he has also stated that foodbank play a “vital role” in society.

Mr Lavery on the other hand has been outspoken on both issues, writing a blog saying he is “outraged” at how many people needed to use foodbanks and saying more needs to be done to help working class communities.

Their Parliamentary voting records also widely differ, with Mr Rees-Mogg voting against laws allowing same sex marriage and abortions while Mr Lavery voted in favour of them.

Both will have the chance to answer questions from the public during the programme.

The other panellists will be: columnist for The Sun and The Times newspapers and associate editor of The Spectator, Rod Liddle; comedian and former Labour advisor, Ayesha Hazarika; and director of the think-tank Demos ans former advisor to Nick Clegg, Polly Mackenzie.

  • It will be shown on BBC One tomorrow, from 10.45pm and we will have reaction and analysis as the programme is aired