Delivering for Stockton, Billingham and Norton - February 2025

Supporting Our Public Services & Community Organisations

I visited Norton Fire Station to meet with Cleveland Fire Brigade, discussing their incredible work tackling fires, high-risk chemical sites, and river rescues. I also met with the Fire Brigades Union to take forward concerns about long-term health conditions affecting firefighters. In health, I checked on progress at Stockton’s new Tees Valley Diagnostic Centre, which will speed up NHS scans and tests. I also met with Purple Rose, a vital organisation supporting asylum seekers and refugees, and visited Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, advocating for better funding for its life-changing care.

Housing, Infrastructure & Community Issues

Residents in Wynyard raised concerns over rapid development without proper infrastructure, and I’m working to ensure the right services are in place. Norton residents welcomed the successful completion of High Street improvements, while at Queensgate Estate, long-overdue road resurfacing is nearly complete. I’m also convening a stakeholder meeting to tackle the derelict Newtown Social Club site and push for redevelopment.

Championing Local Businesses & Economic Growth

I visited Green Florists in Norton to support small businesses and celebrated the incredible 10-year growth of Stockton-based tech firm Intasite, highlighting them in Parliament. Stockton High Street is seeing long-awaited investment, with new developments, increased policing, and millions secured for Billingham town centre. Our high streets are on the up, and I’ll continue pushing for further investment in our communities.

Supporting Education & Young People

I visited Pentland Primary, Hartwell, and Prior’s Mill Schools, engaging with pupils and staff on their successes and challenges. In Parliament, I backed National Apprenticeship Week and pushed for more skills training to secure jobs for our future workforce. I’m also contributing to the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy, ensuring Teesside’s voice is heard in tackling deprivation.

Tackling Knife Crime & Youth Safety

At the ‘Shape Your Safety’ event at Bede’s College, young people shared concerns about knife crime, violence against women and girls, and county lines. Hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey, the event focused on real-world solutions to improve community safety. Listening to and acting on the voices of young people is key to building a safer Teesside.

Industrial Renewal & Green Energy

The Government’s announcement on new nuclear sites marks a major step forward in securing modular reactors for Billingham, bringing jobs, clean energy, and investment to Teesside. Participation in discussions with the Teesside Foundation Industries panel and offshore wind developers at Energi Coast reinforced the region’s role as a leader in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

Campaigning & Union Engagement

Efforts to combat the far right and tackle misinformation continue, with unions and activists exploring modern communication strategies to push back against extremism. Meetings with Hope Not Hate campaigners in Parliament and participation in Unite’s Area Activists committee provided opportunities to address workers’ rights and industry challenges across Stockton and Teesside. It was great to be on the doorstep in Ropner with local councillors and activists.

Westminster Update

Advocacy in Parliament led to a successful resolution for a constituent denied a prescription refund, with wider policy changes now under review. Contributions to debates on energy transition in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero highlighted Stockton’s role in the green economy.

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked by sharing Gabriele Weiss’ powerful story of survival.

Support for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research continued through engagement with affected families and the Time is Muscle campaign. Meetings with the National Autistic Society and Cancer Research campaigners reinforced the commitment to improving support and treatment options for those affected.

Ukraine

The horrors of war are not distant memories for the people of Ukraine - they are a brutal, daily reality. Tanks roll through streets that once thrived with life, 

bombing raids obliterate homes, schools, and hospitals, and soldiers swarm towns and villages, devouring Ukraine’s borders piece by piece. This is what

unchecked aggression looks like, and it demands an unyielding response from the free world.

Yet, at this moment of grave crisis, Donald Trump has mistakenly spread dangerous falsehoods, echoing Kremlin propaganda that serves no one but Vladimir Putin. 

This misinformation not only undermines Ukraine’s struggle for survival, but emboldens dictators across the world. Democracy is precious and fragile.  

It is imperative that we expose Russia’s lies and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to democracy, truth, and the sovereignty of Ukraine.

Ever since 1941, the USA and Britain have stood together as the strongest of allies, bearing down on aggression and championing democracy across the globe.  The USA

remains our closest and most reliable friend, but an important part of friendship is being able to speak honestly to one another.  

Attacking Ukraine’s leadership and questioning its democracy is a distortion of reality. It is false to claim that President Zelensky is a dictator, ignoring that he was freely elected by an overwhelming majority, or to argue that Ukraine should hold elections despite being under full-scale invasion. This disregards historical precedent, including Churchill’s leadership during World War II. To suggest that Western support should be cut, fails to recognise that standing with Ukraine is about more than just backing an ally - it is about upholding security in Europe and fighting for the freedom of democracy. 

If Putin succeeds, he will not stop at Ukraine’s borders. History shows that appeasing dictators only leads to further aggression. Britain has a moral and strategic obligation to stand firm.

 Disinformation is a weapon of war, used by Putin to justify his invasion, whitewash war crimes, and manipulate global opinion. This rhetoric plays into the hands of the Kremlin, weakening international resolve and undermining the unity essential to Ukraine’s survival. Lies and propaganda embolden aggressors - whether in Moscow or elsewhere - who believe they can redraw borders through force and deception.

 History has shown what happens when the world fails to confront dictators. Whether it was the Fascists in the 1930s, Putin today, or any other despot, appeasement has always led to greater conflict and suffering. Democracy is fragile, and it must be defended - not only with weapons but with truth. Allowing disinformation to erode international support for Ukraine would be a betrayal of everything Britain has stood for in past conflicts.

 This Labour Government stands unequivocally with the free people of Ukraine. We will always stand against tyranny and in defence of democracy. The UK must continue to provide military aid, humanitarian support, and economic sanctions to weaken Putin’s war machine. We cannot be complacent - the rise of authoritarianism must be challenged at every turn. All of us can play our part in calling out the Putin puppets in this country who parrot his lies and weaken our collective resolve. The fight for truth is a fight for freedom and democracy itself. The war in Europe has reminded us that our security cannot be taken for granted.

 The stakes could not be higher. Misinformation must not be allowed to distort reality, weaken international resolve, or embolden the forces of dictatorship. We must not allow history to repeat itself. In 1994 Britain made a commitment through the Budapest Memorandum to provide security assistance to Ukraine in these circumstances.  The world knows that we British are people of our word.  The UK Parliament must stand united in ensuring that Britain remains a steadfast ally of Ukraine. To the people of Ukraine: We stand with you. We will not waver. We will not forget.

The defence of democracy is not a choice - it is a duty. Let us rise to meet it. 

 Slava Ukraini!

If you have any issues or questions you’d like to ask, please feel free to contact me and my team by my email chris.mcdonald.mp@parliament.uk