Who is Jill Mortimer? Four things should know about Hartlepool’s new MP

Here are four facts you might not know about the town’s newly elected Conservative MP.
Jill Mortimer is the newly elected Hartlepool Conservative MP.Jill Mortimer is the newly elected Hartlepool Conservative MP.
Jill Mortimer is the newly elected Hartlepool Conservative MP.

Jill Mortimer has made history this morning when she became the first Conservative MP to serve the town since naval hero Commander John Kerans stood down ahead of the 1964 General Election.

Mrs Mortimer is also the first woman to win the seat.

She received 15,529 votes with Labour’s Paul Williams finishing second on 8,589 votes and independent challenger Samantha Lee coming third with 2,904 votes.

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But who is Jill Mortimer? Here are four things you might not know about Hartlepool’s new MP.

1.Farmer and a businesswoman

In the ‘About’ section on her website, Mrs Mortimer describes herself as a “farmer and business woman”.

The North Yorkshire farmer lives in Thirsk, though that is set to change she said after she was elected.

2.Jill Mortimer is set to make Hartlepool her home

Ms Mortimer currently lives around 30 miles away from Hartlepool, but Mrs Mortimer doesn’t look set to be commuting for too long as she has said she will now start looking for a home in the constituency.

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Speaking to reporters following the count, Jill Mortimer said: “I will have a home in Hartlepool without a doubt. I will be going to the estate agents, probably this weekend if I get a minute,” she said.

3.Jill Mortimer was also a councillor

Mrs Mortimer’s political experience includes a role as Conservative councillor for the Raskelf and White Horse Ward on Hambleton District Council in North Yorkshire.

Her term in office started on May 7 in 2019 and she attended 22 of the 27 meetings in total.

In the ‘Register of Interests’ page, she has stated that her employment is farmer and trainee barrister and has said her spouse is a farmer as well.

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Mrs Mortimer was also appointed to Thirsk and Sowerby Swimming Baths Charity and the Scrutiny Committee.

4.She stood in the 2019 General Election

In the 2019 General Election, Jill Mortimer was the Conservative candidate for Leeds East, but lost the seat to Labour’s Richard Burgon by 5,531 votes.

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