The Conservative Party has selected a local councillor to take on Phil Wilson as Newton Aycliffe’s MP.
Paul Howell – pictured above (left) with national party chairman James Cleverley – has been chosen by the Tories as their parliamentary candidate for the Sedgefield seat in the December 12 general election.
Mr Howell, who grew up in Newton Aycliffe and went to Sugar Hill and The Avenue schools, is currently a sitting councillor on both Durham County and Darlington Borough councils.
He was elected as Aycliffe North’s councillor in 2017, and is also the Hummersknott ward councillor for Darlington.
Cllr Howell, who lives in Darlington, was born in Ferryhill and brought up in Aycliffe. His father was a fireman at Aycliffe Fire Station and his family lived in the station homes on Central Avenue.
After leaving the Avenue, Mr Howell worked at Darchem in Stillington and then spent 12 years with Perstorp Warerite in Aycliffe, where he qualified as an accountant.
The Tory councillor will take on the Labour Party’s Phil Wilson for the Sedgefield seat, who has occupied it since succeeding Tony Blair in 2007.
Mr Wilson had a 6,000 majority in the 2017 general election, winning 22,200 votes to the Tory’s Dehenna Davison who won 16,100.
Aycliffe Today understands the Brexit Party has selected former Conservative parliamentary candidate and current Brexit Party MEP David Bull as its candidate for the Sedgefield seat. We’ll bring you confirmation and more details in due course.
