Gateshead Labour group announces new leadership after ‘terrible’ local election results

Two councillors are set to lead the Labour Group in Gateshead Council

Gateshead Council’s Labour group has announced its new leader and deputy as the party sits in opposition for the first time since the creation of the local authority.

Saltwell Labour councillor John Adams has been elected as the leader of Gateshead Council’s Labour group, alongside Crawcrook and Greenside councillor Kathryn Henderson. In the local elections earlier this May, Labour lost control of the council to Reform UK who took 38 seats, leaving Labour with 12, the Lib Dems 13, and the Green Party with three. The defeat ended over five decades of Labour rule within the local authority.

However, yesterday ChronicleLive reported a by-election had been triggered in the ward of Low Fell after a Reform UK councillor resigned in order to pursue recently widened business opportunities.

Following his appointment as leader, Coun Adams said: “These were terrible results for Labour locally. Voters were angry and we have heard that message clearly. Now the job is to rebuild.

“We are not going to wait for Reform to fail. We’re going to hold them to account and keep fighting for every community in Gateshead. Labour has a long history of delivering for Gateshead, and we are determined to win back that trust.

“I want to thank every single person who supported Labour candidates across Gateshead, and all the members and volunteers who worked hard for us across the borough.”

Deputy Labour leader Coun Henderson said: “People want councillors who get stuck in, listen and deliver results. That’s exactly what we do, and intend to keep doing. Labour took a hit in this election, but we are not disappearing. We’ll fight for every community in Gateshead and make the case for Labour values louder than ever.”