Labour retains its dominance in North Tyneside following election
The party has won 51 out of 60 seats at the council
Labour has strengthened its hold in North Tyneside, winning 51 out of a total of 60 seats in this year’s ‘all out’ election.
2024 had North Tyneside’s politicians and pundits wondering how the chips would fall with an ‘all out’ election and new boundaries to consider. Well, the results are in and Labour has increased its councillors from 47 to 51, picking up extra seats in some unusual places.
Labour managed to secure a seat in St Mary’s ward, part of Whitley Bay, with their candidate Andy Holdsworth amassing 1,373 votes. It is the first time in 50 years that Labour has had a councillor in that traditionally Conservative part of North Tyneside
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn DBE said:
“Amazing, absolutely amazing. I am shocked we have got a seat in St Mary’s. I cannot remember the last time we had a councillor in St Mary’s.
“It is just phenomenal, they must be doing something good. And what about Tynemouth? It has been a great day”.
The local Tories walked home from the count, hosted at Parks Sports Centre in North Shields, with eight councillors in total, increasing the official opposition by two. The local Conservatives managed a clean sweep of New York and Murton alongside Preston and Preston Grange.
However, conservative councillor Chris Johnston of Tynemouth lost his seat in Tynemouth, leaving only one Tory remaining in the ward.
Leader of the North Tyneside Conservatives and Preston councillor Liam Bones said:
“We are delighted that the North Tyneside Conservatives have bucked the national trend and gained seats in this difficult year for us. We are disappointed to have lost hardworking colleagues like Chris Johnston but as a Conservative group, we are in our strongest position for a decade.
“Residents are tired of this Labour council and we are going to give them the strong opposition they deserve”.
Ex-Labour councillor Cath Davis, who had until today been a Community Independent in Preston and Preston Grange, also had a parting shot for the ruling party.
Cath Davis said:
“With a turnout of around 30% don’t think you’re representing our residents. we started two months ago from a standing start and a small band but our conversations with residents tell us how fed up they are with party politics. When I stood as a Labour candidate 13 years ago Preston Ward had been all Tory, now having nought Labour seats it’s back in Tory control, that is how well you are doing.
“The independents are having the conversation with local people and we are listening and this is the beginning not the end.”
The Greens displayed a show of force this year, particularly in Whitley Bay North with three candidates amassing a total of 3,794 votes. However, Whitley Bay ultimately ended up returning three Labour councillors to North Tyneside Council’s HQ in Cobalt Business Park.