South Tees Conservatives have chosen Simon Clarke as their new Parliamentary spokesman for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.
Simon, 32, was born at North Tees Hospital and grew up in Marton before winning a scholarship to study History at Oxford University. He is a qualified solicitor and works as a policy specialist on health and education. He contested the Middlesbrough constituency at the 2015 General Election.
Simon is married to Hannah, a teacher, and they have a one year old son.
As Parliamentary spokesman for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Simon will spearhead the Conservatives’ campaigning in the marginal constituency ahead of a formal candidate selection closer to the General Election.
Speaking upon his appointment by the South Tees Conservative Association’s Executive Committee, Simon said,
“It’s a huge privilege to have the opportunity to champion the area where I grew up. I’m looking forward to getting out and speaking to as many people as possible, and to working with Conservative councillors to address their concerns.
“With Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party ever more out of touch with working people, I’ll be setting out a positive vision for how the Conservatives will deliver a stronger economy and better public services for Teesside, as well as securing the best deal for Britain after Brexit.”
Brotton Councillor Malcolm Griffiths, the Chairman of South Tees Conservatives, said,
“We’re delighted to have chosen Simon to represent us. He’s a good campaigner who knows Teesside inside out. His grandad Patrick was an NHS neurosurgeon at the old Middlesbrough General Hospital and his dad Richard was a solicitor at Jacksons, so his roots here go back a long way. Simon in recent years has devoted a great deal of his time and has proved to be a great listener on the doorstep - he’ll be a very effective voice for people and businesses in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.”
Marton West Councillor and Middlesbrough Conservative Group Leader Christine Hobson said,
“Simon couldn’t have worked any harder as our candidate for Middlesbrough at the last General Election and I’m really pleased he’s our new Parliamentary spokesman. He built terrific ties with our members and I know he’ll go down well across the area.”