7 constituencies; 6/30 candidates in the Tees Valley replied to our emails.

Darlington constituency – 2/5 candidates replied.

Peter Gibson, Conservative, 0/4 Yes responses – He stated, “As the Conservative Party Candidate for Darlington, I am fully committed to supporting the Conservative Party manifesto.”

Michael Walker, Reform, 4/4 Yes responses – “I wholeheartedly support the four pledges. One reason for standing is to draw attention to the very real risks facing our children through the transgender nonsense. I have written several letters to the Northern Echo on the subject. I am a teacher and fully understand the importance of Keeping Children Safe in Education. Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. The Gender Questioning Children Guidance for Schools as of December 2023 – I would go further and encourage parents to take an active role in their child’s education. They should be aware of what is taught in schools and what their children are exposed to. I have also penned a letter to the Echo about that, holding Cllrs Snedker and Wallis to account. You can count on my full support on these important issues, and that support will be there whether I win or lose the election on July 4th. Reform UK’s manifesto is still being finalised, however, our Contract to the People is available, and these sections may be of interest to you: https://www.reformparty.uk/children-and-familiesand our section on Education which includes; “Ban Transgender Ideology in Primary and Secondary Schools. There are 2 sexes and 2 genders. It is a dangerous safeguarding issue to confuse children by suggesting otherwise. No gender questioning, social transitioning or pronoun swapping. Inform parents of under 16s about their children’s life decisions. Schools must have single sex facilities.”

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland – 1 candidate replied.

Simon Clarke, Conservative, 4/4 Yes responses – “You can absolutely record me as a yes for all 4 pledges and I was pleased to see the additions to our manifesto to make sure we are adequately supporting and safeguarding our children. I believe the Cass Review to have spoken a lot of sense in this regard. Thank you again for taking the time to contact me about this most important issue.”

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East – 0 candidates replied.

Stockton West – 2 candidates replied

Matt Vickers, Conservative, 4/4 Yes responses – “1. Yes, the recently published Cass Review will help to shape the development of a new model of care. The Health Secretary has written to the chief executive of NHS England to emphasise the need for swift delivery of Dr Cass’s recommendations. The Government intends to prioritise continuity of care and support up to the age of 25 with a follow-through service for young people at a potentially vulnerable stage in their journey. For 2, 3 & 4 I feel I can combine this response, by saying yes to all and that The Government is clear that biological sex exists and matters and is committed to maintaining the safeguards that allow organisations to provide single-sex services. Additionally, the Department for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, have developed guidance for schools in conjunction with experts so that they are better able to support gender questioning children. The guidance is categorical that social transition is not a neutral act, and that social transition, in practice, should be extremely rare when the appropriate safeguards are put in place and the child’s best interest is considered.”

Anna-Maria Toms, Green, 0/4 Yes responses – “I cannot pledge in full to any of the items mentioned. The Cass Report needs to be expanded and further research taken to make it a comprehensive document. The second item is non statutory guidance for schools taking into account the Cass Report. And the final two items I believe are under review now, and as such are not complete. Safeguarding children means different things for different children. The child should always be at the centre of any decisions that are made about them. I don’t believe these reports fully reflect that so I cannot agree in full with them.”

Stockton North – 1 candidate replied

John McDermott, Reform, 0/0 Yes responses – “I can assure you that Reform UK & myself support the safeguarding of children. Education has its own section on our “Contract with You””

Hartlepool – 0 candidates replied.

Redcar – 0 candidates replied.