Jamie Driscoll to serve as an independent mayor in North East

Jamie Driscoll has decided to leave the Labour Party and serve as an independent mayor.

Today Driscoll tweeted

I’ve decided to resign from @UKLabour and serve as an Independent Mayor.

People are tired of being controlled by Westminster and Party HQs. They want someone to stand up for them. Let the people decide. £25k by end of Aug & I’ll stand as North East Mayor👉https://t.co/WuDEGd3xxJ pic.twitter.com/kscPeMmlX5
— Mayor Jamie Driscoll (@MayorJD) July 17, 2023

Driscoll, who is the elected mayor for the North of Tyne area was recently barred from standing as a Labour candidate by the Labour Party leadership.

In his resignation letter Driscoll says:

“It is with a heavy heart and deep disappointment that I am leaving the Labour Party. I will now serve the people of Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland as the independent North of Tyne Mayor.”