Labour councillor elected in by-election with low turnout
THE voters of Camperdown elected Labour’s Peter Gerard Earley as one of their ward representatives for North Tyneside Council in Thursday’s by-election.
The by-election was triggered after the ward’s previous councillor, Jim Allan, had to stand down after health issues prevented him from attending council meetings.
Coun Earley returns to the council after having been deselected as a Benton councillor ahead of May’s local election. The Labour Party’s candidate received 873 votes, down 84 from the latest local elections.
There was, however, only a 19% turnout, amounting to 1,479 votes properly cast.
Coun Earley spoke to the local democracy reporting service following his victory and said: “I am pleased to be back as a councillor. I am happy the voters of Camperdown have put their trust in me.
“I know there is a lot of work to be done. I am determined to work as hard in Camperdown as I did in Benton. I am very disappointed by the negative campaign by the Conservatives. Especially comments made about Jim Allan.
“I am pleased it did not seem to register with the voters”.
North Tyneside’s elected mayor, Norma Redfern said: “We are delighted that the people have put their trust in us in North Tyneside. I have to say we have got a first-class councillor.
“It is a bit sad that the campaign was upsetting for some people, but never mind, people supported us regardless of that.”
The Conservatives came a distant second, with 388 votes – an increase from last September’s by-election result of 352.
The results was as follows:
■■Jay Beyer (Lib Dem ) – 124 votes ■■Peter Gerard Earley (Labour) – 873 votes
■■Haylee Elizabeth Josendale (Conservative) – 388 votes ■■Michael Andrew Newton (Green) – 58 votes
■■Jack James Thomson (UKIP) – 36 votes