LABOUR MP for Middlesbrough Andy McDonald has received strong backing as he was reselected by party members.

Every ward branch and trade union branch in the town unanimously voted to reselect him as the candidate for the next General Election, which is expected to be soon

He said: “It is the greatest honour of my life to represent the town where I was born and raised. I am immensely grateful to the party members and Union activists who have chosen to put their faith in me once again. That the vote was unanimous is particularly humbling and I will work hard to repay that faith as and when an election is called."

There are rumours that an independent candidate is about to declare his intentions to stand against Mr McDonald in the next election.