The Lib Dems will have around 90 candidates standing across County Durham for the Unitary elections. In Duham City District we have a full slate of 22 local candidates.

In Easington, if it were not for the Lib Dems, Labour would now have 8 unitary councillors as no one else has stood against them in four divisions. We have 18 candidates compared to just a handful of Conservative and Independents. Last May 40 Labour councillors were elected unopposed to Easington District Council – finally these residents will have an election.

In Wear Valley we are contesting every seat, whilst in Sedgefield, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside we have a further 50 or so candidates. Three of the District councils have not released nominations yet.

Unfortunately there are some BNP candidates standing in the County. Whilst I appreciate everyone’s right to stand and always hope that as many people as possible cast their vote, I hope everyone turns their backs on these extreme right-wing candidates.