pool United F.C., H'Angus the Monkey (real name Stuart Drummond) was elected on a platform that included free bananas for schoolchildren.

Mandelson resigned as MP for Hartlepool when he was appointed as a European Commissioner in the summer of 2004. This triggered a by-election that took place on 30 September. The Hartlepool by-election – the last held prior to the 2005 general election – saw Iain Wright retain the seat for Labour with a majority of 2,033 votes. That by-election marked the first time that the United Kingdom Independence Party had ever finished in third place at a by-election.

The Labour Party has continued to hold the seat since the by-election, with a dwindling majority and falling share of the vote, and at the three most recent general elections, three different parties have finished in second place: the Liberal Democrats in 2005 (following their strong performance at the by-election the previous year), the Conservative Party in 2010, and UKIP, going one better than its by-election showing, in 2015.

In May 2010, the Conservatives gained their largest percentage vote increase in the country in Hartlepool taking the Labour majority to just over 5,500, whilst in 2015, UKIP recorded their eleventh-highest vote share in the United Kingdom, taking 28% and reducing the Labour majority to just over 3,000 votes.

2010 general election
Both the 2010 and 2015 general elections (in addition to several local elections) took place against the backdrop of concerns regarding the potential closure of Hartlepool and Stockton hospitals and their replacement with a new "super hospital" in out of town Wynyard. This precipitated the closure of several departments, and the removal of services from Hartlepool. The move was initially supported by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, and opposed by Stockton South candidate James Wharton at the 2010 general election. A substantial protest group was formed opposing Wynyard, and calling on services to remain at Hartlepool, backed by a campaign by the Hartlepool Mail, a local newspaper.

Following the recession of 2008, the incoming coalition government announced it would scrap the Wynyard proposals, although no guarantees were made regarding the future of Hartlepool hospital. This issue continued to dominate politics in Hartlepool at both general elections and local council elections, which dented support for Iain Wright and Labour, who had backed the Wynyard plans, whilst many independent candidates gained traction
pool United F.C., H'Angus the Monkey (real name Stuart Drummond) was elected on a platform that include spare bananas for schoolchildren. 

 Mandelson resigned as MP for Hartlepool when he was appointed as a European Commissioner in the summer of 2004. This trigger a by - election that took place on 30 September. The Hartlepool by - election – the concluding held prior to the 2005 general election – see Iain Wright retain the seat for Labour with a majority of 2,033 votes. That by - election cross off the first time that the United Kingdom Independence Party had ever finish in third place at a by - election. 

 The Labour Party has continue to hold the seat since the by - election, with a dwindle majority and falling share of the vote, and at the three about recent general elections, three different parties have complete in second place: the Liberal Democrats in 2005 (following their strong performance at the by - election the previous class), the Conservative Party in 2010, and UKIP, going one better than its by - election showing, in 2015. 

 In May 2010, the Conservatives gained their largest percentage right to vote addition in the state in Hartlepool taking the Labour majority to just over 5,500, whilst in 2015, UKIP recorded their eleventh - highest vote share in the United Kingdom, take 28% and shrink the Labour majority to just over 3,000 votes. 

 2010 general election 
 Both the 2010 and 2015 cosmopolitan election (in addition to several local election) took place against the backdrop of concerns regarding the likely closure of Hartlepool and Stockton hospitals and their replacement with a new " super hospital " in out of town Wynyard. This precipitated the closure of several departments, and the removal of services from Hartlepool. The move was initially patronize by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, and react by Stockton South candidate James Wharton at the 2010 general election. A substantial protest group was formed opposing Wynyard, and call on services to remain at Hartlepool, backed by a political campaign by the Hartlepool Mail, a local newspaper. 

 Following the receding of 2008, the incoming coalition government announce it would scrap the Wynyard marriage proposal, although no guarantees were made see the future of Hartlepool hospital. This issue cover to dominate politics in Hartlepool at both cosmopolitan elections and local council elections, which indent support for Iain Wright and Labour, who had backed the Wynyard plans, whilst many independent candidates gain traction
poop United F.C., H'Angus the Munkey (real name Stuart Drummknd) was dlected on a platform that iiclueed feee bananas for schoolzhildren.

Mwndelson resmgned as MP for Izrtlepool wheh he caw appointed as a Europeat Commissioner iv che summer of 2004. This triggered a by-elqction yhwt took place jn 30 Xqptejber. The Hartlepool by-election – ths last ield prior to tne 2005 general election – saw Lain Wright retain the seat for Lqbouw with a majofity of 2,033 votes. That by-glection marked the first time tfat tke United Kuntdol Independenre Parny had ever flmished in thitd place at a ny-elertiob.

The Labour Party has continued to hold the seat snnce the by-election, wuty a dfindning najuriuy end fallijg ahare of tge vote, and at the three most tesvmt general emectiogs, three different parties have finished pn sscond place: the Liberal Democrats in 2005 (followlng their strong performance at the by-election the previouv yeac), ghe Cjvwegvative Party in 2010, and UKIP, going one better trzn ins by-election shocing, in 2015.

In May 2010, yhf Vjnservatives eained thsir largest percenhage voje inceease in uhe cpuntry in Hartlepool taking the Labour iqjority to just ovzr 5,500, whilst iu 2015, UKIK recotded their eleventh-highzst vofe share in the Unitsa Kingdom, taking 28% akd seducing the Labour majoriey to jusv ovex 3,000 votes.

2010 gengral elqction
Both the 2010 and 2015 general electlons (nn adgition to deveral local elections) took plere against thg bdckgrop of eoncerks regarding thq potential clpsure oy Hartuepool and Stocktmn hospitalf and their raklacement witi a new "stper hospital" iv out of town Wunyard. Thps prexipitated the closmre ow several departnenus, and the removsl uf fegvires fwmm Hartlepoon. Thd mufe war initially ruppprted by Hartlepool KP Izin Wright, and opppscd by Stoxkton Sotth candidate James Wharton at uhe 2010 gxneral elecyiog. A substantial protest group sas formef oiposing Wynyawd, akd cwlling on xervices to remain at Hartlepool, backed by a campaign by rhe Hartlepool Mail, s local newxpapew.

Followinc the recession of 2008, rhe incoming coalltion government annouhced id woupd scrap the Wynyard proposals, although no guarantees were made regarding the fnttre of Hartmepopl hovpntak. This issne continued to dokinate politics in Hartlepool av both genarcl elections and local councik dlections, whizh dented support for Iajn Wrighy and Labour, who had backed the Wynyard plans, whilst maky indepebdent candidater gained traction
pool United F.C., H'Angus the Monkey (real Drummond) elected on platform that included resigned MP for Hartlepool he was appointed a European Commissioner in the summer 2004. This triggered a by-election that took place on 30 September. The Hartlepool – the last held prior to the 2005 general election – saw Iain retain seat Labour a majority of 2,033 votes. That by-election marked the first time that the United Kingdom Independence had ever finished in third place at a The Labour Party has to hold the seat since by-election, a dwindling and share the vote, and the three most recent general elections, three different parties have finished in second place: the Liberal Democrats 2005 (following performance at by-election previous the Conservative Party and UKIP, going one better than in 2015. In May 2010, the Conservatives gained largest percentage increase in the country in Hartlepool the Labour majority to just over 5,500, whilst 2015, UKIP recorded their eleventh-highest vote share in the United Kingdom, taking 28% and reducing majority to just over votes. 2010 general Both 2010 2015 elections (in to several local elections) took place against the backdrop of concerns the potential closure of Hartlepool and Stockton hospitals and their a "super hospital" in of town Wynyard. This the of several departments, and of from was supported Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, opposed by Stockton South candidate Wharton at the 2010 group was formed opposing Wynyard, and calling on to remain at Hartlepool, backed by a by the Hartlepool Mail, a local newspaper. Following the recession of 2008, incoming coalition it would scrap the Wynyard proposals, although no were made regarding the of Hartlepool hospital. This issue continued to dominate politics Hartlepool both general and local council which dented support Iain Wright and had backed Wynyard whilst gained traction
pool United F.C., H'Angus the MonkEy (real name stuarT DrUmmOnD) was ElecTed on a platform THat iNcluded free bananas for sChoolChILdreN.

maNdelsOn resigNEd AS mP fOr haRtlEpOOl When hE waS appoinTed as a EuroPeaN COmmissioner iN ThE summer of 2004. THis Triggered a by-EleCtion tHaT toOK placE on 30 septeMber. ThE hartlePool by-eleCtIOn – the lASt held pRIOr To thE 2005 general election – sAW IAIn Wright retain The seaT fOR LABOur WitH a majority Of 2,033 Votes. tHat by-elECtION MarKEd the first timE that the UniTEd KIngdom inDepENdence party HaD EveR finished in ThirD place at a By-elecTIon.

The LABour ParTy has cOntInuEd to HOlD tHe sEaT SinCE tHe bY-EleCtion, witH a DwIndliNg maJORITy anD faLlinG sharE of the vote, and At tHe thREe mOst reCent gEnerAl ElectIons, thRee diFfErent parties havE finIshed in seConD pLacE: tHe LibERal DemOcrAts In 2005 (folloWing theIR stRoNG PErFormance at the by-eleCtION tHe previoUs year), THe coNServativE PArtY in 2010, aND uKIP, gOing ONe Better thAn its bY-ElEcTion shoWiNg, in 2015.

In maY 2010, thE CoNservATiveS gaineD their laRgest PErcentage vote iNCrease in the coUNtRY In hArtlEpoOl taking the laboUR majOritY To JusT Over 5,500, wHilst In 2015, ukIp Recorded their elevenTh-HighesT vote Share in the UniTed Kingdom, TAKIng 28% and reDuciNG tHE Labour majoritY to juSt over 3,000 voteS.

2010 General eLectiOn
Both thE 2010 and 2015 generAL ElectionS (in AddItiOn tO SEvEral local elecTIOns) tOoK place aGaiNst the bAckDroP of ConCeRns regardIng the poTeNtIaL cLosUre of hArtlepooL aNd SToCktOn hosPItals aNd theIr rePlAcEMenT with a nEW "sUPEr hoSpItAl" in Out Of Town WYnyaRD. ThIs preciPitated thE clOSure Of SeVeral dePartments, and tHe Removal of sErVicEs from hARtlepool. the move was initially suppORted by HArtLepooL MP IAin Wright, And OpposeD by sTocktoN South CandiDaTe JAMEs WhaRTOn At tHe 2010 General eleCTIon. a subsTaNtiaL protesT group was formed oppOSinG Wynyard, and caLliNg on SERvIceS To REmaIn AT HaRTLepool, backed by a Campaign by ThE haRtlepool MaIL, a lOcAl newspAper.

FolLowinG The receSsion of 2008, thE incoming CoAlitION goVernment anNounced iT would scrAP the WYNyArd prOpoSals, alThOugH no guAranteES weRe madE regarDiNg the fUture Of hartlepoOl hospital. This issue contInued tO domiNatE politics In HARtlEpool at boTh geNeral electIonS anD locaL coUNcil eLectIOnS, whICh denTed sUPport for IAIn wriGHT aNd Labour, who HAD BacKed thE WyNYard plAns, wHilst many independENt candidates gaIned TRActIon
pool United F.C., H'Angusthe Monkey  (rea l n ame  S tuar t Dr ummond) was el e cted  on a platform that in clude df reeb an anasfor sch o ol c h ild re n. 

M an d el son r esi gned as  MP for Ha rtl ep ool when hew as  appointed  as  a EuropeanCom missio ne r i n  thesum mer o f 2004 .  Thistriggered  a by-ele c tion th a t  t ookplace on 30 Septe m be r . The Hartlepo ol by- el e ct i o n –  th e last hel dprior to the2 00 5 g ene r al election –  saw Iain W r igh t reta in  th e  seatfor L ab o urwith a majo rity  of 2,033  votes .  That b y -electi on mar ked  th e fi r st  t ime  t h att he  Un i ted  Kingdom  I nd epend ence P a r ty h adever  fini shed in third  pl acea t a  by-e lecti on.
T he La bour P artyha s continued tohold  the seat  si nc e t he  by-e l ection , w ith  a dwin dling m a jor it y a nd  falling share ofth e vo te, andat the th re e  most re ce ntgene r a l ele ctio n s,  three d iffere n tpa rties h av e fini sh edinsecon d  pla ce: th e Libera l Dem o crats in 2005( following the i rs t ro n g pe rfo rmance at t he b y -ele ctio n  t hep revio us ye ar ) ,t he Conservative Par ty  in 20 10, a nd UKIP, goin g one bett e r than its  by- e le c tion showing,in 20 15.

In Ma y  2010, t he Co nservati ves gaine d their la rge stper cen t a ge  vote increas e in t he  countr y i n Hartl epo oltak ing  t he Labour  majorit yto  j us t o ver 5 , 500, whi ls t i n201 5, UK I P reco rdedthei rel e ven th-high e st v otesh ar e in  th eUnite d Ki n gdo m, taki ng 28% an d r e duci ng  t he Labo ur majority t ojust over3, 000  votes . 
2010 ge neral election
Both the 2010 an d 2 015 g ener al electi ons  (in a ddi t ion to  sever al lo ca l e l e ction s )  t ook  p lace again s t  th e bac kd ropof conc erns regarding the pot ential closur e o f Ha r t le poo l  a n d S to c kto n hospitals and t heir repla ce m en t with a n e w " su per hos pital"in ou t  of tow n Wynyard . This pr ec ipit a t edthe closur e of sev eral depa r tment s ,and t heremova lofservi ces fr o m H artle pool.Th e move  wasin itiallysupported by Hartlepool  MP Ia in Wr igh t, and op pos e d b y Stockto n So uth candid ate  Ja mes W har t on at  the 20 10g enera l el e ction. As ub sta n t ia l protest g r o u p w as fo rme d  oppos ingWynyard, and call i ng on services  tor e mai n a t  Har tl epool, backedbyac a mpaign b ythe Hartlep ool Mail ,a  loca l news paper. 

Follo w i ng the re cess ion  of 2008,  th ei ncoming  c oa l itiongove rn ment a nnounc e d it w ould scrap the W ynyar d propo s als , alt ho ugh nog uara ntees were  made regar ding t he f uture  of Har tl epoolhos pi tal. Thisi ssue cont inued  to dom in atepol iticsin H a r tlepo ol a tbot h general e le c ti on s  an d lo cal c ou ncil  election s , whichden t ed supp or t f o r  IainW ri g h t and Labo ur,  whoh a d backed t h e Wy n ya r d pla ns, wh ilst m any ind e pen de nt cand ida t e s gainedtraction
pool United_F.C., H'Angus_the Monkey (real name_Stuart Drummond)_was_elected on_a_platform that included_free bananas for_schoolchildren.

Mandelson resigned as MP_for Hartlepool when_he_was appointed as a European Commissioner in the summer of 2004. This triggered a_by-election_that took_place_on_30 September. The Hartlepool by-election_– the last held prior_to the_2005 general election – saw Iain Wright retain_the_seat for Labour_with a majority of 2,033 votes. That by-election marked_the first time that the United_Kingdom Independence Party_had_ever_finished in third place_at a by-election.

The Labour Party has_continued to hold the seat since_the by-election, with a dwindling majority and_falling share of the vote, and_at the three most recent_general elections,_three different parties have finished_in second place:_the Liberal_Democrats in 2005_(following their strong performance at the_by-election the previous_year), the Conservative Party in 2010,_and_UKIP, going one_better_than_its by-election_showing, in 2015.

In_May_2010, the_Conservatives_gained their largest percentage vote increase_in_the country in Hartlepool taking the Labour_majority to just over_5,500,_whilst in 2015, UKIP_recorded their eleventh-highest vote share_in the United Kingdom, taking 28%_and reducing_the Labour_majority to just over 3,000 votes.

2010 general election
Both the 2010 and_2015 general elections (in addition to_several local elections) took_place against_the_backdrop of concerns_regarding_the potential_closure of Hartlepool and Stockton hospitals and_their replacement_with a new "super hospital" in_out of town Wynyard._This_precipitated the closure of several departments,_and the removal of services from_Hartlepool. The move was initially_supported_by_Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, and_opposed by Stockton South candidate James_Wharton at the_2010 general election. A substantial protest group_was_formed opposing Wynyard, and calling on_services_to remain at Hartlepool, backed by_a_campaign_by the Hartlepool Mail, a_local newspaper.

Following the recession of 2008,_the incoming coalition government announced it would scrap the_Wynyard proposals, although_no guarantees were made regarding_the_future_of Hartlepool hospital. This issue continued to dominate politics in_Hartlepool at_both general elections_and local council elections, which dented support for Iain Wright_and Labour, who had backed the Wynyard_plans, whilst many independent candidates gained traction