A former North East MP has announced she is fighting to reclaim her old seat in the next general election as she nominates herself to be chosen as Redcar’s Labour candidate.

Former Labour MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, has today revealed she is standing to be selected as the Labour Party candidate for her former seat at the next general election.

Ms Turley served as Redcar’s MP from 2015 to 2019 but lost her seat to Conservative candidate Jacob Young by a margin of just over 3,500 votes at the last general election.

Read more: Jacob Young speaks on standing as Redcar & Cleveland MP again

She will now stand with other candidates to be chosen to represent the Labour party when hustings begin on July 11.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Anna said she feels like she “has never been away” as she prepares to re-enter the political sphere.

She said: “It was a real disappointment to lose in 2019 but Redcar is my home so obviously I’ve been here and have stuck around.

“I’ve just carried om trying to make a difference outside politics and in the local community. In many respects, I’ve never really been away.”

Anna explained she works as a school governor in Eston and has volunteered in a food bank before she made the “big decision” of whether to put herself back into the world of politics.

The Northern Echo: Anna Turley pictured in 2019.Anna Turley pictured in 2019. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

However, Anna said she feels there is “unfinished business” as she wants to focus on the cost of living and the issues that matter most to the people of Redcar.

She said: “I feel a sense of anger and frustration of where things are after thirteen years of the Conservatives. I see through my work shocking levels of child poverty that is rising.

“People in Redcar and Cleveland who never thought they would get into poverty as they work all the hours, they can but the cost of living means there are a lot of people who are really struggling.”

Following her announcement, Anna said she has been “blown away” by the support she has received online.

She added: “Throwing my hat back into the ring, I just want to give it my best shot and fight for the Labour party.

“The Labour party has changed, and we’ve been working really hard to be out there and visible in Redcar and Cleveland and get back in touch with our communities.”

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Ms Turley’s announcement came hours after current Redcar MP Jacob Young announced he will be fighting to keep his seat at the next election.

In a piece for The Northern Echo, Mr Young wrote: “My focus remains on helping Redcar & Cleveland reach our full potential, which is why I am today announcing that I will be standing again at the next election, to remain as your Member of Parliament.

“I humbly ask for your support.  Representing my hometown in Parliament has been the honour of my life, and I will continue fighting for you as long as I am here.”