In the run-up to 8 June, Guardian journalists will be reporting in-depth on a range of constituencies around the country, with the aim of telling stories about the election that come from beyond the political bubble. As part of that project, Josh Halliday will be reporting from the parliamentary constituency of Hartlepool.
The constituency includes the town of Hartlepool and the nearby villages of Hart, Elwick, Greatham, Newton Bewley and Dalton Piercy. A once-thriving shipbuilding powerhouse, Hartlepool has experienced decades of high unemployment following the collapse of heavy industry in the north-east. Hartlepool was the 12th most Eurosceptic area in Britain in the EU referendum.
The constituency is currently represented by Iain Wright (Labour), who was first elected in 2004 in a seat that Labour has held since 1964. It now hangs in the balance, with a slim majority of 3,024 votes separating the party from Ukip in the 2015 general election.
How you can help
Josh is interested in the issues people living in Hartlepool care about, not just how they’ll vote – and would like you to contribute to, guide and help shape his reporting. The key issue this time around could be Brexit - but what other issues are important to you? What are the problems that politicians are failing to address?
If you live in the Hartlepool constituency, please get in touch by filling in the form below and tell us what issues you think will decide this election. Where should Josh go, what should he cover and who should he speak to?
Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions.
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