Gains for the Greens as Labour hold strong

LABOUR maintained its grip on South Tyneside Council, while the Green Party and Independents also celebrated gains a number of wards in the elections.

The Labour Party has been steadily losing seats over the past few years across South Tyneside as its previously iron control has loosened just a little.

And Labour’s poor run continued somewhat in Thursday’s elections – losing a further four seats when the results came in with the Independents and Green Party taking two apiece from the wall of red.

Sarah McKeown took Beacon & Bents from Labour, while Andrew Guy reigned supreme in West Park. Independents John Robinson and Paul Brenen also took a seat each from Labour in Primrose and Westoe respectively.

However, despite losing four seats the Labour Party retained its majority control over South Tyneside Council with 41 seats. The Green Party also took a further seat from the Conservative Party, as David Herbert bested Stan Wildhirt by 129 votes when the dust settled in Cleadon and East Boldon.

The Conservative Party now only have one seat in the council, with Coun Ian Forster who is still serving his term in the same ward.

Labour also won an extra seat in Harton on the night, as two seats were available due to the death of long-serving councillor Rob Dix in February this year.

Labour now holds 41 of the council’s 54 seats, with the Greens and independents on six each and one Conservative.