North East Party Hartlepool by-election candidate says he will be a powerful advocate for the town

The North East Party has announced Hilton Dawson as their candidate for the forthcoming Parliamentary by–election triggered by the sudden resignation of Labour’s Mike Hill last week.

The party campaigns for a better deal for the North East and wants devolution of powers for the region similar to those given to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mr Dawson, a former Labour MP and who helped launch The North East Party in 2014, said he would be a powerful advocate for the town.

He said: “We are a small party funded by ordinary members rather than big trade unions or business or billionaires, however we have big ideas and an integrity which will do well for Hartlepool.

“I stood down from Parliament in part because I’d lost heart with Labour, however I believe that the North East Party can transform our region.

"I listen well, I work to empower communities I will be a powerful advocate for Hartlepool people.”

The party currently has elected responsibility for Peterlee Town Council, three Durham County Councillors and three members on Billingham Town Council.

It says it wants to empower and transform the North East through devolution, fair taxation and world class opportunities and services for all.

Formerly a Labour party member for 35 years, Mr Dawson was MP for Lancaster & Wyre from 1997 until he stood down in 2005 to return to work in children’s services.

He served as deputy leader of Lancaster City Council, is a registered social worker and was the first general secretary of the Social Workers Union.

Mr Dawson now lives in Northumberland and works as a celebrant.

He added: “We have a mountain to climb, in a very short time and we have all the problems of emerging from a pandemic.

"However, I have experience of both winning and retaining a supposedly ‘unwinnable seat’.

“Over the coming weeks in Hartlepool I am once again going to try my very best to win.”

North East Party leader Susan McDonnell said: “We have no doubt that Hilton’s proven track record over eight years as ‘an independent-minded and principled MP dedicated to serving his constituents’ makes him the very best candidate for this job.”

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