Five North East MPs will not be standing at the General Election in July after announcing that they will be stepping down. 

On Wednesday (May 22), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that the General Election would be taking place on July 4.

Before the UK public go to the polls, several MPs had already announced that they wouldn't be in contention for votes - with some retiring and others pursuing other routes in politics. 

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna DavisonBishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison (Image: PA MEDIA)

The list of names in the MP includes Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, who announced at the end of last year that she'd be stepping down. 

In a statement at the time, she said: “For my whole adult life, I’ve dedicated the vast majority of my time to politics, and to help make people’s lives better.

“But, to be frank, it has meant I haven’t had anything like a normal life for a twenty-something. 

The Northern Echo: Alex Cunningham MPAlex Cunningham MP (Image: PA MEDIA)

“I’ve worked on, managed, and stood in so many election campaigns, and, since being elected in 2019, I’ve given my all to being an MP."

Ms Davison is the only Conservative MP from the North East that won't contest their seat in the General Election. 

There will, however, be three Labour MPs stepping back from their duties - with Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham and Gateshead MP Ian Mearns previously saying they would be standing down. 

They were joined by North Durham MP Kevan Jones, who announced on Thursday (May 23) that he wouldn't be contesting the General Election. 

Mr Jones, who was elected in 2001, said in a statement: “It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the people of North Durham in Parliament since 2001. It has been a difficult decision to take to decide that I will not be a candidate at the forthcoming General Election.

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“Over the last 23 years, I have had the privilege of meeting and helping thousands of constituents in North Durham and I am proud of the constituency’s continuing strong sense of community and vibrant voluntary sector."

 In total, there are 116 MPs across the UK that have said they won't be standing in the General Election - including 73 Conservative MPs.

Here are all of the MPs in the North East that won't be standing in July's General Election:

Conservative:

  • Dehenna Davison, Bishop Auckland (MP since 2019)

Labour: 

  • Alex Cunningham, Stockton North (MP since 2010)
  • Kevan Jones, North Durham (MP since 2001)
  • Ian Mearns, Gateshead (MP since 2010)

Independent:

  • Nick Brown, Newcastle upon Tyne East (MP since 1983; formerly Labour)