In the 2024 General Election, Luke stood as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the City of Durham, running a bold and principled campaign in one of Labour’s safest seats. While the national result didn’t go the Conservative way, Luke gave thousands of people a voice — standing up for working families, local businesses, and traditional values that have long been forgotten by Labour’s metropolitan machine.
Luke’s campaign wasn’t just about opposition — it was about offering an alternative rooted in economic common sense, local accountability, and Conservative values. At a time when Labour was promising more spending with no plan to pay for it, Luke set out a clear vision for living within our means, cutting waste, and empowering businesses to grow and create jobs. He made the case for a smaller state, lower taxes, and a renewed focus on value for money for the taxpayer — especially when it came to local government and public services.
He spoke openly about the need to reindustrialise the North East, bringing back skilled, multigenerational jobs to towns that have been hollowed out by Labour complacency and top-down planning. His campaign championed infrastructure investment, vocational education, and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, recognising that prosperity comes not from government handouts, but from hard work, innovation, and enterprise.
Luke also took a stand against Labour’s plans to tax the State Pension, raise taxes, and burden families with stealth tax rises. He consistently defended the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, argued for protecting savings and pensions, and warned that Labour’s economic approach would risk undermining the very people they claimed to stand for.
But Luke’s campaign wasn’t just about the economy, it was about people — he put forward plans on everything from GP access and transport to housing and crime. He challenged Labour’s silence on the over-conversion of family homes into student HMOs and demanded a balanced housing policy that respected both students and long-standing residents.
He also showed real leadership in defending national security, speaking out about Labour’s historic opposition to Trident and raising concerns about their weak stance in the face of rising global threats. He warned that Britain could not afford to be led by those who once voted against our nuclear deterrent, especially at a time when our allies questioned our reliability.
While Luke did not win in Durham, his campaign stood out for its honesty, its energy, and its deep-rooted belief in Conservative principles. He proved that even in difficult territory, it’s possible to campaign with substance and conviction — not slogans.
Today, Luke continues to champion Conservative economic values, fight for the future of the North East, and speak up for those who believe in freedom, responsibility, and ambition. The campaign in Durham may have ended, but his mission is far from over.