Butthedeathoftraditionalindustryhashitthisareahard, andthereis a sensethatthetownhasneverreallyrecoveredpolitically.
It's also a bellwetherfortherestoftheNortheast, whiletheconstituencyis a mixtureofpostindustrialtowns, prettymarkettownsandagriculturalcommunities.
Historically, it's been a labourstrongholdingeneralelectionsonbarringfouryearsinthe 19 thirties, LabourhasheldBishopAucklandsince 1918 butthismajorityhasbeenslowlywhittledawayovertheyears, isnowdowntojustover 500 votes, andthat's madeit a keyconservativetargetinthiselection.
WhenitcomestoBrexit, itwas a decisivevote, with 61% ofpeopleherechoosingtoleavethewellinthetwodaysthatwe'vebeenhere, we'vespokento a numberofpeoplewhofeelthisplacehasbeenforgottensincetheheydayofitsindustrialtime, whenBishopAucklandwastrulyonthemap.
ProbablytheBrexitpartycandidatesstandingherecouldsplittheleavevote, buthisallegiancesshift, a changingofthepoliticalweatherwouldn't bedowntojustBrexit.
Yearsofneglectwillplaytheirpart.
Two.
AucklandCastle, withitspricelesspaintings, hasbeenrestoredwithmoneyfrom a localmultimillionaire.