For the avoidance of any doubt, I live in Yarm in the Stockton West constituency. This is my home and, if I’m elected, this constituency will continue to be my home when I’m not down in Westminster working.

I grew up in Eaglescliffe and attended Junction Farm Primary School and Egglescliffe Comp and Sixth Form. So it’s strange that they’d try and pretend I’m not from or for this area.

Like many Teessiders (and several current Conservative MPs in our region), I have worked in our capital city - gaining experience in government and the private sector - and helped to deliver successful international projects such as the Olympic Games working in Seb Coe’s office. My record of getting things done will help me be a better MP for the area.

Personally, I think it’s a good thing that Teessiders should be encouraged to work wherever our talents or interests take us – whether that is government or the world’s biggest sporting events or any other industry, and whether that is in Stockton, London or even internationally. If the modern Conservative party think that’s a bad thing, then it’s changed!

That is why, during that period, I would come to speak about working for a Cabinet Minister or the most senior person in British sport at my old school at Egglescliffe to show that us Northerners are just as capable of achieving what we set their minds to. Maybe your callers think that only Londoners deserve such opportunities?

In my view, the problem our great country has faced since 2010 is that the deepest austerity cuts have fallen unevenly on regions like North East England, and young people and older lack economic opportunities and public services that cities in the South take for granted.

I speak to many people locally whose children and grandchildren have made the hard choice to move away, and who are greatly missed. That is where the problem lies, made worse by the failure of so-called “levelling up”.

That’s why since 2015, I’ve been working back on Teesside with business and industry, helping them to secure millions of pounds of investment to support jobs and growth locally and since then I’ve moved back here permanently. I’m proud to use the experience that I’ve gained throughout my career to promote this region.

I think it says a lot about the people who called on you, and their government’s 14 years of failure, that they’re resorting to personal and negative campaigning like this. It sounds a bit desperate.

Instead, I’m very happy to be running a positive campaign standing up for Stockton West that is based on what I would deliver for our community with a Labour government on our side - and holding the Tories to account for their record.

Thanks for letting me know what is being said on the doorstep and very best wishes for 2024!

Joe

PS - Before he became MP for Richmond next door to us, Rishi Sunak worked as a banker in the City of London. Given Mr Vickers used to work as his agent, I wonder if his team think this reflects poorly on the Prime Minister or the members of Richmond Conservative Association who selected him as their parliamentary candidate? Might be worth asking if they believe our Southampton-born PM should really be an MP in North Yorkshire if they ever call again?