Sir Keir Starmer says Labour will 'rebuild trust' on visit to Hartlepool's Liberty Steel
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer returned to Hartlepool to show his support for the party’s by-election candidate on a visit to Liberty Steel.
Sir Keir visited the town for a third time on Saturday, May 1 to support Labour candidate Dr Paul Williams, and said the doctor is the right man to give Hartlepool a ‘powerful voice’ going forward.
The by-election, triggered by the resignation of former MP Mike Hill in March, will take place on Thursday, May 6.
The party leader visited Liberty Steel, in Brenda Road, where 250 jobs are at risk due to financial problems faced by the company's main backer.
Dr Williams has a particular focus on jobs across Hartlepool, Sir Keir told the Mail, and has supported the NHS with his frontline work during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Labour Party’s plan for Hartlepool, if elected, involves getting crime and anti-social behaviour back under control.
Sir Keir said: “This is the third time I’ve been here in Hartlepool and it’s very clear that people want to know what is the future for the jobs in Hartlepool and that’s why having Dr Paul Williams as a loud and powerful voice is going to be so important.
"We need someone who understands the NHS frontline and supports the NHS and Dr Paul worked in Hartlepool hospital throughout the pandemic and we need someone who understands that crime needs to be reduced and anti-social behaviour is a real issue.
"We have an excellent candidate and we are fighting for every vote, talking to voters everyday and I’m very clear that we need to earn the votes so nothing can be taken for granted here and that’s exactly why I’m here in Hartlepool again.”
Sir Keir has also toured Hartlepool Power Station and Camerons Brewery on previous visits to town.
The party leader went on to say that he wants to rebuild trust ‘to a number of communities in the North East’.
He added: “The best way to rebuild trust is to listen to people and I’ve come here with my ears and I’m listening.
"We have been talking to those who’s jobs are on the line along with speaking to people at the nuclear plant and brewery, so we’re here to build trust and we’re proud to put Dr Paul Williams forward.”