MaizieD
Sunderland and Blyth. I'm not at all surprised. It's echoing the Brexit vote. NE still hasn't had any benefit, still 'left behind'.
I think (and hope) that that explains the results. I also hope that something is done to reverse the swing to the Far Right. I agree that those areas are 'left behind' and someone needs to speak to the people there who are Old Labour, of the rather sexist and racist persuasion (and let's not pretend that the Left doesn't have a fair share of people who think that way). I may not share their outlook, but they are not basically fascist - they are politically homeless and want to protest about being patronised and ignored.