Whilst we await the news to find out who will be the Labour candidate at the next General Election, there are continued internal arguments over the imposed all women shortlist.  This is in stark contrast to the North West Durham Conservatives who chose their candidate from an open list contested by both men and women.  There have been rumours that several Independent candidates are going to put their names forward after the local Labour party imploded over candidate selection.  Michelle, Conservative candidate, stated “I’m looking forward to the General Election campaign.  The Conservatives would never take the North East for granted.”