Labour Party Crook Branch

07/09/2026

Very important this. Crook has not had an MP that is so engaged with the town and surrounds since Hilary Armstrong. Make use of him.

07/09/2026

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗔𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.
The Government has confirmed that the North East will become one of the new strategic partners of the National Wealth Fund. This means our region will now work directly with the UK’s main investment body for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, transport upgrades and major regeneration projects.
Alongside this, a new £150 million Scale‑Up Fund for the North of England has been announced. This fund is designed to help growing businesses access the capital they need to expand, hire and innovate — especially in sectors like engineering, technology, clean energy and manufacturing.
Today’s announcements also highlighted the Government’s wider plan to shift economic power to the regions, with long‑term investment partnerships, stronger local project pipelines, and support for advanced manufacturing clusters across the North East.
What this could mean for the Bishop Auckland constituency:
More support for advanced manufacturing in places like Local Business Parks
Better access to growth finance for local engineering, tech and clean‑energy firms
Faster progress on transport and regeneration projects across Bishop Auckland, Shildon and the wider Durham area
New opportunities linked to EVs, batteries, offshore wind and clean energy supply chains
A stronger chance of attracting private investment into our towns and industries
More national backing for long‑term regional growth planning
Taken together, the National Wealth Fund partnership and the new £150m scale‑up fund represent a significant shift in how investment will flow into the North East — aiming to support jobs, modern infrastructure and long‑term economic growth.

03/09/2026

He works for foreign actors.......

Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.

02/09/2026

Small boat arrivals in the Channel have fallen sharply — now at a six‑year low, according to new Home Office figures. Crossings between June and August are down 43% on last year, with the fewest summer arrivals since 2019. Officials credit tougher action against smuggling gangs and stronger UK‑France cooperation.
From The Daily Telegraph

28/08/2026

Labour have gained Billinge & Seneley Green in St Helens (Merseyside) in today’s by‑election, taking the seat from Reform UK.
It’s a useful result for us here in the North East — County Durham, Teesdale, , , Shildon and the wider region — because St Helens has been one of Reform UK’s strongest council areas nationally. They won all three seats in this ward back in May. Today’s gain shows a clear shift back towards Labour, even in places where Reform had recently broken through.
For anyone following politics across the North East, it’s a reminder that local by‑elections can move quickly, and that Reform’s vote isn’t fixed even in areas where they’ve surged. Interesting that they are close to losing control here. Just needs a few more clear minded councillors to pull away from the extremists.

28/08/2026

26/08/2026

August Surgeries 📅

Here are the dates and times for my MP surgeries across August.

If you need support with an issue or would like to discuss how I can help, you're welcome to book a private appointment with me. To book a slot, please email [email protected]

I'll shortly be sharing details of my Summer Roadshow events across the constituency for August - September very soon, if you'd prefer to come along, meet me and have a chat at one of my public events!

24/08/2026

21/08/2026

The local Labour party would like to offer a gentle clarification.
Some community events here have recently chosen not to allow the MP to attend or have a stand, describing this as “avoiding politics”. We fully respect the intentions behind that, but it’s important to recognise that blocking an elected representative is itself a political act. It introduces a form of bias, even when that isn’t what anyone intended.

At the same time, many community organisations may not realise that the MP is genuinely open to meeting anyone — supporters, critics, and those who simply want to raise an issue or share a concern. Engagement is available to all, and conversations are often far more constructive than people expect.

For anyone who wishes to get in touch directly, the MP can be contacted at:
📧 [email protected]
📮 House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
(Email is the quickest way to arrange a meeting or raise a concern.)

Community events thrive when they create space for dialogue rather than limit it. Allowing residents to speak directly to their representative isn’t about party politics; it’s about fairness, openness, and making sure people can raise the matters that affect their lives. A more welcoming approach benefits everyone.