Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling to win working-class former industrial towns, where voters could hold the key to the prime minister's office.
The English port town of Hartlepool is an example. People there have long felt ignored by politicians in far-off London.
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Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling to win working-class former industrial towns, where voters could hold the key to the prime minister's office.
Tom O'Grady is a lecturer in political science at University College London. He says Conservatives need to win seats like Hartlepool to compensate for the likely loss of pro-EU areas.
Brexit party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he campaigns in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. More than three years later, the U.K. is still an EU member, and loyalty to Labour has been eroded by frustration. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Brexit party leader Nigel Farage speaks during an event as part of the General Election campaign trail, in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. More than three years later, the U.K. is still an EU member, and loyalty to Labour has been eroded by frustration. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Fishermen arrange crabs after their boat returned from a fishing trip to the harbour in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. Fishermen, who rail against the EU's quotas and red tape, are among the staunchest supporters of leaving the bloc. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An old decommissioned oil platform sits on land where it is being demolished in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Once-bustling shipyards are closed, though rusting hulks are reduced to scrap at a site just outside town. Most of the steelworks that once employed thousands shut down in the 1970s and 1980s. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An old decommissioned oil platform sits on land where it is being demolished in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Once-bustling shipyards are closed, though rusting hulks are reduced to scrap at a site just outside town. Most of the steelworks that once employed thousands shut down in the 1970s and 1980s. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An employee walks past stored kegs of beer at Camerons Brewery in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Labour candidate for Hartlepool Mike Hill, center, speaks to residents as he campaigns in residential areas in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People talk at the Hartlepool Working Men's club in Hartlepool, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An article critical of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is displayed as people play bingo at the Hartlepool Working Men's club in Hartlepool, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
The Labour campaign team plan their tour in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A view of the harbour in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A dilapidated former public house boarded up on the high street in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People walk their dogs on the beach in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 with the backdrop of the Redcar steel plant that was shut down in 2015 and will be demolished. Britain's political parties are battling to Hartlepool and place like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Richard Tice, the Brexit Party's chairman and its candidate in Hartlepool speaks as he campaigns in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Tice argues that backing the Conservatives here is "a wasted vote." Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A woman walks past a dilapidated former public house boarded up on the high street in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
The mast of HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in Europe, rises above the rooftops in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An offshore wind farm is visible from the beach in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A wishing well, sculpted as a monkey at the Marina in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Legend has it that during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, a shipwrecked monkey was hanged by the people of Hartlepool, believing him to be a French spy. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of the town's voters backed leaving the European Union. More than three years later, the U.K. is still an EU member. And loyalty to Labour has been eroded by the gridlock.
Workers on the beach in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 are backdropped by the Redcar steel plant that was shut down in 2015 and will be demolished. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling to win working-class former industrial towns, where voters could hold the key to the prime minister's office. The English port town of Hartlepool is an example. People there have long felt ignored by politicians in far-off London. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Tom O'Grady is a lecturer in political science at University College London. He says Conservatives need to win seats like Hartlepool to compensate for the likely loss of pro-EU areas.
A British Union flag flutters in the breeze boats line the Marina in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling to win working-class former industrial towns, where voters could hold the key to the prime minister's office. The English port town of Hartlepool is an example. People there have long felt ignored by politicians in far-off London. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Brexit party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he campaigns in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. More than three years later, the U.K. is still an EU member, and loyalty to Labour has been eroded by frustration. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Brexit party leader Nigel Farage speaks during an event as part of the General Election campaign trail, in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. More than three years later, the U.K. is still an EU member, and loyalty to Labour has been eroded by frustration. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Fishermen arrange crabs after their boat returned from a fishing trip to the harbour in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. Fishermen, who rail against the EU's quotas and red tape, are among the staunchest supporters of leaving the bloc. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An old decommissioned oil platform sits on land where it is being demolished in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Once-bustling shipyards are closed, though rusting hulks are reduced to scrap at a site just outside town. Most of the steelworks that once employed thousands shut down in the 1970s and 1980s. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An old decommissioned oil platform sits on land where it is being demolished in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Once-bustling shipyards are closed, though rusting hulks are reduced to scrap at a site just outside town. Most of the steelworks that once employed thousands shut down in the 1970s and 1980s. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An employee walks past stored kegs of beer at Camerons Brewery in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Labour candidate for Hartlepool Mike Hill, center, speaks to residents as he campaigns in residential areas in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People talk at the Hartlepool Working Men's club in Hartlepool, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An article critical of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is displayed as people play bingo at the Hartlepool Working Men's club in Hartlepool, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
The Labour campaign team plan their tour in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A view of the harbour in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A dilapidated former public house boarded up on the high street in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People walk their dogs on the beach in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 with the backdrop of the Redcar steel plant that was shut down in 2015 and will be demolished. Britain's political parties are battling to Hartlepool and place like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Richard Tice, the Brexit Party's chairman and its candidate in Hartlepool speaks as he campaigns in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Tice argues that backing the Conservatives here is "a wasted vote." Hartlepool has elected lawmakers from the left-of-center Labour Party for more than half a century. But in 2016, almost 70% of voters here backed leaving the European Union. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A woman walks past a dilapidated former public house boarded up on the high street in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Political parties in Britain's Brexit-dominated December election are battling fiercely to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns with voters who could hold the key to the prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
The mast of HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in Europe, rises above the rooftops in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Hartlepool, a former shipbuilding center 250 miles (400 kms) north of London where unemployment is more than double the national average, is a town full of leavers. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
An offshore wind farm is visible from the beach in Hartlepool, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A wishing well, sculpted as a monkey at the Marina in Hartlepool, England, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Legend has it that during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, a shipwrecked monkey was hanged by the people of Hartlepool, believing him to be a French spy. Britain's political parties are battling to win Hartlepool and places like it: working-class former industrial towns whose voters could hold the key to 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's office. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
