Stockton was split into two seats, North and South, in 1983 and Labourís Frank Cook has held North ever since. After defeating William Rodgers, one of the SDPís "Gang of Four" by just 1,870 votes in the seatís inaugural contest, he has gradually increased his majority to more than 20,000 in 1997.
The last Conservative to sit here was Harold Macmillan, (Prime Minister from 1957-63), who was MP from 1924 until his defeat in 1945, save for a two year break. MacMillan later took the name of his earldom from this seat.
If Stockton North has recently voted in the fashion of a safe Labour seat, it has certainly looked the part for a number of years. The massive ICI plant at Billingham dominates an industrial skyline and the large housing estates to the north west of the seat are fiercely Labour.
Unemployment is high and much of the workforce is employed in partly skilled jobs, whilst nearly one third of homes are council-rented. Teeside airport is also located within this seat.