Former North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll has been given a key role in Newcastle Green Party’s new leadership group. It comes as Byker councillor Nick Hartley was re-elected to continue as leader of the group after a successful set of local elections.
Community wealth building
Coun Driscoll has taken on a brief focusing on “community wealth building” that will look to keep cash within the city’s communities. The Greens are the joint-second largest party on the council following local elections earlier this month, just one seat behind the Liberal Democrats and level with Reform.
Leaders and deputy leaders
Alongside Coun Hartley, Coun Sarah Peters (Ouseburn) and Coun Khaled Musharraf (Elswick) have been elected as deputy leaders. The party said it will “focus on speaking up for residents, building stronger communities, protecting nature, and pushing for a fairer approach to how wealth and resources are shared across the city”.
Building stronger communities
Coun Hartley said: “We want to make the best use of all the talent within our Green Group so we can raise housing standards, build stronger communities, and make it easier, safer and healthier to get around our city.
“I’m particularly excited that Coun Jamie Driscoll has agreed to take on a brief focused on Community Wealth Building. Building on his experience as North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie will help us explore how we better link up anchor institutions across the city and review council procurement and licensing processes so they work better for small and local businesses and help keep wealth within our communities.”
Jamie Driscoll
Coun Driscoll was elected as a Labour councillor for the Monument ward in 2018. He was selected as the party’s candidate in the 2019 North of Tyne Mayoral Election, defeating ex-city council leader Nick Forbes.
He won the election and served as North of Tyne Mayor between 2019 and 2024. However, following the creation of the North East Combined Authority, Coun Driscoll was blocked from standing for Labour. He ran as an Independent but finished second behind Labour’s Kim McGuinness.
He confirmed in 2025 that he had joined the Green Party and would run in Newcastle.
Coun Driscoll said:
“I like the way the Green party gets things done. It’s collaborative and makes the best use of everyone’s talent.
“We’re focused on how we get money into people’s pockets and revitalise local services. We want to keep money circulating in our local economy to boost local businesses.
“And we want to give communities more of a say in what happens where they live.”
The Greens in Newcastle
The Green Group says further policy lead appointments and priorities for the year ahead will be announced in the coming weeks.
New deputy leader Coun Peters said: “I am looking forward to using this role to improve inclusion of groups which are under- represented in political spaces and ensure they have the support to thrive. Making the best decisions for the city means empowering all residents to speak up for their communities and ensuring their voices are heard, so that this city really does work for everyone.”
Fellow deputy Coun Khaled Musharraf added: “I want politics to feel closer, clearer and more connected to the people it serves. I’m honoured to have been elected as one of the Deputy Leaders of the Green Group.
“I believe politics should listen more, work harder, and be easier for residents to engage with and understand. At a time when many people feel disconnected, we must rebuild trust in our democratic institutions by being open, honest and community-focused.
“I’m looking forward to working collectively with colleagues, residents and communities across the city to help create fairer, greener and stronger neighbourhoods for all.”
While the Liberal Democrats are the council’s largest party, they are some way short of the 40 needed to secure a majority, leaving the council in a state of no overall control.
A new leader and deputy will be elected by councillors at the council’s annual general meeting (AGM) on 27 May. Because no party has a majority, anyone hoping to take control will need to work with other parties.
