‘If James Cleverly thinks Stockton’s a shit-hole, why not do something about it?’

Christmas lights are switched on for ‘Stockton Sparkles’ last week. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

On Thursday afternoon, the good people of Stockton-on-Tees were preparing for Stockton Sparkles, an annual festive event that promises to transform its commanding high street – known as the widest in the UK – into a “winter wonderland”.

But wonderland was not the word on everyone’s lips. Instead, it was the description of the place allegedly employed by the home secretary, James Cleverly, during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday. Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, said Cleverly had uttered the phrase when he asked Rishi Sunak: “Why are 34% of children in my constituency living in poverty?”