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Constituency of Stockton South

Stockton South has only existed as a parliamentary constituency since boundary changes led to its creation in 1983. However, the towns and villages that make up the division have a long and interesting history.

The area is made up of fourteen wards, each distinct and clearly discernable, yet all inter-linked. Towards the south are the picturesque villages of Hilton and Kirklevington, which retain their rural charm and traditional character. Less than ten minutes away is Yarm, perhaps the prettiest town in the whole of North Yorkshire, with its cobbled streets, antique stores, bookshops, flower sellers, and food and wine outlets. In contrast, north along the River Tees is located Stockton's urban and industrial centre. There, in Bowesfield and Parkfield, we find factories, warehouses and large housing estates.

Similarly rugged is Thornaby, with its rows of terraced houses. Yet, behind the modern industrial façade are historic monuments. St Peter's, for instance, one of England's oldest churches dating back to the 11th Century, sits quietly on Thornaby Green, just yards from where Oliver Cromwell's republican army fired cannons at the royalist camp in Stockton castle. It must be said that rivalry between Thornaby and Stockton is not entirely unknown even today! The history of Stockton has undoubtedly shaped its people.

In modern times, that has been the history of heavy industry, much of it directly or indirectly connected to the shipyards on the Tees. However, the area has undergone immense change. During the 1980s, the collapse of industry throughout the North East decimated the area and led to widespread unemployment; in some parts of Stockton, 70-80% of households had no one in work.

Thankfully, a great deal of regeneration has since taken place. Developments such as the Tees barrage have cleaned the River, making it a scene of beauty and a source of leisure, tourism and employment. In place of the old staple heavy industry, new sources of skilled employment have emerged, in technology, banking and commerce. The transformation has occurred because the people willed it.

Despite the devastation caused by the massive unemployment in the eighties, Stockton people have always shown enormous resilience, tenacity and determination. Indeed, I would argue that it is the character of the people that is the greatest feature of Stockton South. It was their desire for betterment and their drive to rebuild the shattered local economy that helped to regenerate the area. It is a process that is ongoing and is having measurable results.

Unemployment has fallen dramatically, house building has increased and general social rejuvenation is progressing. The sense of renewal is reflected in the physical surroundings, but it is probably more noticeable in the local culture. It is the buzz of activity, illustrated in the myriad of societies, clubs, associations, pubs, churches and schools which act as the focus of Stockton life, that indicates what a vibrant and energetic place this is.

The socio-economic profile:

The following is a summary of statistics for Stockton South taken from the 2001 Census of Population

Source: 2001 Census/House of Commons Library Intranet

The Electoral landscape:

Parliamentary Election Result, 2005