As part of our ‘North East Inspiring People’ programme, Durham Sixth Form Centre was proud to welcome Conservative MP for Sedgefield, Paul Howell. Paul kindly took time out of his busy schedule to come and talk to our students about his career journey and to inspire a belief in themselves that anything is possible in terms of a career.

Paul was born at Bishop Auckland Hospital and grew up in both Ferryhill and Newton Aycliffe. Following his A-levels, Paul moved straight into local industry working as an accountant and subsequently a chartered accountant for companies such as Darchem, Perstorp-Warerite, Blue Circle and Wilsonart.

“Politics was certainly not a major part of my upbringing” commented Paul “and certainly not a career that I envisioned myself pursuing. However as a teenager I remember being unable to understand why the union leaders thought they should run the country. This is what formed my right-of-centre political leanings.” Paul became actively involved in local politics and joined the Conservative party in 2010.

His first involvement in local politics was during the 2010 Darlington Borough elections in which he stood as the Conservative candidate. Whilst he was unsuccessful in being elected it was vital experience and gave him the desire to pursue a more active role in local politics to make a real difference in his community. 

Paul was delighted to be selected as the Conservative candidate for the constituency of Sedgefield in the upcoming election. He faced a very tough challenge of overturning Phil Wilson’s majority in a seat that the Labour party had held for over 60 years. It was a challenge that he managed to overcome, and, on the 12th December 2019, he was honoured to be elected as Sedgefield MP in the House of Commons. 

At the end of the talk, students were able to ask Paul some challenging questions affecting young people and the world at large, such as housing needs and climate change. It was particularly interesting to hear him talk about the work he is leading to transform local high streets and spaces.