VOTERS have been heading to the polls in Hartlepool to elect their next MP following a high profile campaign which has attracted attention from across the country.
Voters are also choosing the next Tees Valley Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland and representatives on Hartlepool Borough Council.
A number of polling stations have seen waiting queues this morning, with coronavirus restrictions meaning just one person has been allowed in at a time.
Sixteen candidates are battling it out to become the town’s next MP following the resignation of Labour’s Mike Hill.
Recent polls have put the Conservatives in the lead following a campaign which has seen multiple visits from both Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Keir Starmer and a host of high profile politicians.
Newcastle University student Robert White, 20, who is currently at home in Hart because of the pandemic, said: “It’s been quite interesting to see a lot of the political leaders coming down. I feel like Starmer might not have connected with the people of Hartlepool.
“I still voted for Labour but I don’t know if he made much of an impact.
“I think it’s a good choice putting a doctor up during a health crisis but is he the right candidate?”
Saying he hoped interest in the town would remain, he added: “I hope it doesn’t just fade away straight away.”
Bob Ord, 70, was casting his vote at Hart Village Hall. He said: “It’s been quite interesting. We’ve been getting a lot of flyers and I think the Conservatives have made a particular effort.
“Labour has taken Hartlepool for granted for a long time, for a lot of years now. They haven’t done much.
“The free port is going to be good for the town.”
Steve Moran, 58, said: “I think it’s been good for the town. The election has highlighted the fact we are here and not so much of a town in decline. To be honest I think it’s rattled Labour.
“In the past we’ve had very little attention from any political parties so in that respect its been good.”
He added: “Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen appears to have done a lot for the area in general and hopefully the progress will continue. I felt obliged to vote Conservative to help that along.”
First time voters Jordan Farnsworth, 18, and Calum Bates, 18, who are both pupils at Catcote Academy, cast their ballots at Headland Community Fire Station.
Mr Farnsworth said: “I chose the Conservative party because of what they are doing so far and I want to see what they’re going to do in the future.”
Mr Bates added: “I wanted to see someone who would tackle crime and knife crime.”
They were accompanied by teacher Jacqueline Stephenson, a member of staff at the sixth form, which caters for young people with special educational needs.
She said: “It’s all about getting them out into real life situations and encouraging them to vote. We do a lot of preparation for adulthood at school and this is so important.”
Carol Archibald and William McMillan said they were putting a cross next to Hartlepool Borough Council leader Shane Moore’s name in the local election.
Ms Archibald said she had not followed the campaign much but said the hospital and bus services were key issues. She added: “I came out to vote because I knew who I wanted to vote for.
“We know him to talk to and he gets on with what the town wants.
“A lot of them promise all sorts and don’t do anything. I hope what they say they will follow through. We do need something.”
Jim, 74, and Sue Ainsley, 65, were also both voting at Headland Community Fire Station.
Mr Ainsley said: “I’ll be voting Labour as I always do. I’m very disappointed with the way things appear to be going, particularly in this town, if it’s a 17 point lead as I’ve seen. But people are entitled to vote how they want.”
He added: “It’s been a quiet campaign. I had one Tory knock on the door and I told them what I thought about the leader of the country being a liar and a misogynist and racist. Unfortunately people will still vote for him.
“There’s a lot of apathy about. At the last local election we had the lowest turnout in the country. If there’s a 50 per cent vote in these elections that means half of the town couldn’t care less.
“People have to do a lot to keep body and soul together. People are working, or not because of covid and they have no interest.”
Brian Bide, 82, who visited the polling station with his dog Max, said he hadn’t thought a lot of the campaign.
He added: “The Headland always seems to be left out.
“I don’t believe a lot of what’s said. They say something and nothing materialises.”
Corinne Spence, 64, said: “Hartlepool gets a poor image when people are talking about it. They go straight to the monkey and monkey hangers and that doesn’t reflect the people who live here. It’s a really friendly place and there’s a lot of different people who live here.”
She added: “I hope if they have made promises they will deliver but politicians are politicians. Everybody is sick to death of politicians. They all seem to be career politicians apart from the local ones and the council who are trying to do something for the local area.”
Robert Gormer, 43, said: “To be honest I’ve had lots of leaflets but no-one has come to the door. In some ways it’s been a bit gimmicky. I saw Keir Starmer standing outside the power station.”
He added: “In the past with Brexit I don’t think we get good representation. We come across as quite racist which felt unfair and not a broad representation of the people in the town.
“The main reason we’re getting so much attention is it’s been a Labour stronghold for such a long time and it would have gone blue last time if it hadn’t been for the Brexit Party.
“I think a lot of people who voted for the Brexit Party will go back to Labour but for me I’m going to vote Conservative. Labour have been in power for this town and haven’t done their fair share of work. The potential this town has got – there’s lots of infrastructure and industry but we don’t seem to be making the most of it.”
Speaking outside Hartlepool United Supporters Club, one man said: “It’s great to see some new parties.
“There are some great new candidates. The NIP (Northern Independence Party), who I’m voting for, are pushing some really progressive policies and manifesto.
“With a lot of the local candidates it good to see they are passionate about people and wanting local representation.”
Nigel Barton, 66, said: "The campaign hasn't bothered me to be honest. Ben Houchen is brilliant but for the other I've just voted for the party I would usually vote for.
"Ben Houchen has done a good job as Tees Valley Mayor."
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