I addressed a meeting of the full Council last Thursday on this matter. I stressed the importance in standing together as a whole town and making a convincing case – yet again, I’m afraid, because I think Professor Darzi has already made an excellent clinical judgement on the situation – I was extremely heartened by the unanimous support I received from the councillors who attended the meeting.

I think that it is essential that, regardless of whether somebody supports a particular party line, Hartlepool must come first. People who are elected to public office should never, ever forget who put them there in the first place. I think I have the greatest job in the world, and being able to represent my home town in Parliament is something I deeply cherish. I will always stand up for Hartlepool’s interests – Hartlepool comes first.

I’m itching to get back to Parliament, so that I can start raising Parliamentary Questions. I want to try to get a debate on the floor of the House of Commons about the issue. And I also want to raise a petition with as many signatures from Hartlepool as possible so that this can be presented to Parliament. I remember the influence that the petition about the direct rail link to London had with people making the decision, and I am sure that something as crucial as the future of health services would have a similar positive impact.

I reiterate what I said at the full Council meeting on Thursday. I hope that everybody stands together in the town on this matter. Hartlepool comes first.