Labour has retained a majority in North Tyneside’s local elections, but its dominance has been significantly dented by major Reform UK gains. Mathematically, the incumbent Labour administration was guaranteed to retain its place calling the shots with only 20 seats in contention. However, the party’s days dominating the authority are long gone.
The ruling party managed to hold on to five of the 17 seats it was defending, losing out to Reform UK and the Greens. Three Labour cabinet members also lost their seats to challengers.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service at the count, Labour mayor Karen Clark said: “It is a shame we have lost some really experienced Labour councillors, some of whom have more than 40 years of experience, hard working people.
But striking a more defiant tone, the Mayor added: “We have had 13 consecutive years and we have a strong track record of delivery. We have amazing children’s services, our adult social care is good. We have retained libraries and leisure centres.
“It is challenging but that is what people have told us they want.”
Reform UK’s gains officially make them the council’s opposition, toppling the local Conservative to the third party in the council chamber. Reform has performed well in North Tyneside previously, with the area’s Reform UK mayoral candidate John Falkenstein losing out on the top job by just 444 votes last year.
The newly elected Reform UK councillor for Chirton and Percy Main, Steven Robinson said: “The people have been asking for change and Reform is that change that North Tyneside and the country needs.”
The Greens also made gains, with two councillors now representing the wards of North Shields and Whitley Bay North respectively.
The new makeup of the council is as follows:
- Labour: 38
- Reform: 11
- Conservative: 8
- Green: 2
- Independent: 1
Here is the list of winning candidates:
Backworth and Holystone:
- John Falkenstein (REF): 973
- Christopher Johnston (CON): 279
- Yara Rodrigues Fowler (GRN): 358
- Adam Ian Thompson (LAB): 1,042
Labour Hold
Battle Hill:
- Christopher Michael Croft (REF): 1,299
- Nick Martin (GRN): 413
- David Charles Office (CON): 231
- Steven Alan Phillips (LAB): 1,058
Reform gain
Camperdown:
- Michael Christopher Gibson (GRN): 390
- Rosemary Ann Kinghorn (CON): 260
- Martin Henry Uren (REF): 1,010
- Joan Isabel Walker (LAB): 818
Reform gain
Chirton and Percy Main:
- David Ian Cross (CON):208
- Jo Ellis (GRN): 544
- Peter John (SDP): 81
- Bruce Pickard (LAB):633
- Steven Paul Robinson (REF): 1,353
Reform gain
Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South
- Ken Barrie (CON): 646
- Mark Belshaw (WP): 49
- Paula Clough (LAB): 1,473
- Mark Holmes (REF): 1,015
- Penny Reid (LD): 257
- Alan Steele (GRN): 1,192
Labour hold
Forest Hall:
- Stuart Clark Hill (NTCI): 564
- Sam Lambert (REF): 916
- Michael Andrew Newton (GRN): 500
- Susan Rodgerson (CON): 238
- Joanne Marie Sharp (LAB): 1,204
Labour hold
Howdon:
- Connor Patrick Archie Bones (CON):190
- Carole Ann Nissen (GRN):500
- Dan Robson (REF): 1,294
- Matthew Brian Thirlaway (LAB): 736
Reform gain
Killingworth:
- Bryan Shaun Clark (LAB): 899
- Fiona Gray (GRN): 333
- Paul William McKinlay (CON):303
- Mick Stobbart (REF): 1,134
Reform gain
Longbenton and Benton:
- Mark James Anderson (REF): 885
- Ryan Crawford (GRN): 612
- Linda Darke (LAB): 1,019
- Deborah Jayne Lennox (CON): 163
- Emma Lilian Vinton (LD):149
Labour hold
Monkseaton:
- John Christopher Appleby (LD): 346
- Stephen Patrick Bones (CON): 612
- Martin James Murphy (LAB): 1,470
- Nigel Christopher Parkinson (REF):1,149
- Chloe-Louise Reilly (GRN): 783
- David Steven (CON): 612
Labour hold
New York and Murton:
- Peter Daniel Anderson (LAB): 386
- Daniel John Inglis (CON): 588
- Keith McAllister (REF): 800
- Sophie Joanna McGlinn (GRN): 367
Reform gain from Conservatives
North Shields:
- Maureen Jeffrey (CON): 274
- Frank Lott (LAB): 934
- Andrew Anthony Mitchinson (REF): 938
- Martin Anthony Osborne (GRN): 1,156
- Charis Pollard (LD): 154
Green gain from Labour
Preston with Preston Grange:
- David Wallace Lilly (CON): 1,343
- Phillip McGuire (REF): 909
- Helen Smith McGuire (GRN): 651
- Fletcher Sowerby (LAB): 902
Conservative hold
Shiremoor:
- Michael Harrigan (REF): 1,076
- John Honeychurch-Kyle (CON): 237
- Caron Louise Kirkham (GRN): 1,012
- Kristin Dominica Nott (LAB): 576
Reform gain
St Mary’s:
- Janet Elizabeth Appleby (LD): 135
- Joanne Beynon (GRN): 393
- Naysin Maria Lambert (REF): 801
- George Partis (CON): 1,207
- Jack Lee Proud (LAB): 729
- Judith Wallace (IND): 1,507
Independent hold
