The Mandelson Affair: The Constituency - It's a loss for us, too, say the voters of Hartlepool

THERE HAS always been an irony in Peter Mandelson's choice of parliamentary seat. Since his election to Parliament in 1992, Labour's ultimate moderniser has represented a depressed north-eastern town whose image is the epitome of the traditional Labour Party.

But while there is no greater enmity than between two sides in the same political party, there was no dancing on the streets of Hartlepool yesterday.

The consensus was that while Mr Mandelson appeared to be the victim of arrogance,the resignation of the local MP from such a powerful position could only be a loss for the town.

Philip Ash, 47, a bus driver, said: "It's a shame. He has done a good job for Hartlepool. I think his resignation is just to please everyone else, there was a lot of pressure on him to quit and it will please the Opposition as he is the strength of the party."

The enmity between old and new Labour should in theory be simmering in Hartlepool, but many traditional supportershave been converted by Mr Mandelson's devotion to constituency matters. "Despite being one of the busiest figures in government he doesn't neglect his constituents," said Peter Barron, editor of the Hartlepool Mail. "He has done very well as an MP. He is still very visible in the town despite all his other commitments."

But Mr Barron felt Mr Mandelson was right to resign. "He was in a position where he had no choice. I just can't believe he could have been so naive.

"There will be mixed feelings about the resignation, but this is a traditional working class northern town and the whole concept of a loan ... as large as that for a Labour MP will be so alien to the people of Hartlepool that most will think [resignation] was the right thing to do."

The ambivalence in the reaction towards Mr Mandelson has deeper roots than Labour Party factionalism. Hartlepool, once a byword for post-industrial desolation, has undergone something of an economic recovery of late. As Stephen McCormack, 28, a factory worker, said yesterday: "I thought he should have stuck it out. He has done a lot for Hartlepool."

However, the positive views are not unanimous. Melanie Sonnick, 22, a shop assistant in the town, said: "All he has done for Hartlepool is bring us bad publicity."

Though it will be little consolation to the fallen minister, whose preferred constituency encompasses the cappuccino coves of Notting Hill, it is the ultimate irony that his prompt resignation may actually boost his standing in a town where old Labour values die hard.