Voters in Darlington struck a pessimistic note about the Tory leadership contest, and said the constituency is there for Labour to win at the next election.
Today The Mirror spoke to people outside the Cornmill Shopping Centre about the ongoing battle for Number 10.
It comes as Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy gave a speech in the city a raft of measures to support communities.
"It's the same mess whoever they go for," said pensioner Margaret Tomlin, while her husband Alfred, 81, added: "The Conservatives really need to pull their finger out."
Rachael O'Brien said that of the candidates in the race to become the next Prime Minister, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt had impressed her most, because of their military backgrounds.
The 56-year-old said: "They've had to work to get where they are, I think they need that."
She said she suspected the constituency would remain Conservative, adding: "I've never been a Conservative, I find it really hard to say that, a lot will depend on the candidate Labour put forward."
But Mrs O'Brien voiced admiration for Keir Starmer.
"He's an absolute gentleman, but he doesn't let rip very often, I'd like to see him doing that more," she said.
Her husband Julian, 68, said that Boris Johnson holding on to power had been damaging, but said Ms Mordaunt was his preferred candidate.
"There's just something about her, I think ex-military people are more likely to say what they think," he stated.
Highlighting the scale of the task Labour face to win back the seat, he did not share disillusionment with the current government's approach to levelling up, stating: "There's been a lot more funding come in."
But Jan Taylor, 69, was adamant the time for change has come. "From what I've seen and heard, I don't think they (the Tory leadership contenders) can win back our trust.
"I think it's time for a General Election, there's been no levelling up in this part of the world."
Meanwhile Keith Lynn, 79, told The Mirror he doesn't see what the fuss was about, saying: "There was nothing wrong with Boris. He was thrown in at the deep end with Covid, he hasn't had a chance to run the country.
"I think Rishi Sunak will get in."
