It’s a mess whoever party puts in charge
VOTERS yesterday struck a pessimistic note about the Tory leadership contest, and said their constituency is there for Labour to win at the next election.
Yesterday our reporter spoke to people in Darlington outside the Cornmill Shopping Centre about the ongoing battle for Number 10.
“It’s the same mess whoever they go for,” said pensioner Margaret Tomlin.
Her husband Alfred, 81, chipped in: “The Conservatives really need to pull their finger out.”
And Jan Taylor, 69, was adamant the time for change has now come.
“From what I’ve seen and heard, I don’t think they [the Tory leadership contenders] can win back our trust,” she said.
“I think it’s time for a general election. There’s been no levelling up in this part of the world.”
FAILURES
Meanwhile Rachael O’Brien voiced admiration for Labour leader Keir Starmer – but added he needs to get tougher on Tory failures.
“He’s an absolute gentleman, but he doesn’t let rip very often, I’d like to see him doing that more,” she said.
Of the candidates in the race to become the next Prime Minister, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt impressed her most, but only because of their military backgrounds.
The 56-year-old said: “They’ve had to work to get where they are.
“I think they need that.”
She said she suspected that the constituency would remain under the Tories adding: “I’ve never been a Conservative... a lot will depend on the candidate Labour [choose to] put forward.”
Her husband Julian, 68, said that shamless Boris Johnson clinging on to power had been damaging for the country.
He backed Mourdant to win the race and added: “There’s just something about her, I think ex-military people are more likely to say what they think.”
But highlighting the scale of the task Labour face to win back the seat, he did not share others disillusionment with the current government’s approach to levelling up.
He said: “There’s been a lot more funding come in.”