Black councillor creates history in region’s elections
VOTERS in North Tyneside have elected a black councillor for the first time in the authority’s 48-year history.
Labour candidate Josephine Mudzingwa was elected to serve the Benton ward on North Tyneside Council at Thursday’s local elections.
Ms Mudzingwa held the ward with a landslide victory, securing a majority of almost 1,000 votes over her nearest challenger, independent David Arthur.
The seat had previously been held by Labour councillor Peter Earley, who did not stand at this year’s election.
Speaking after her election, the newly elected councillor said: “I would like to thank all the people who have made this journey possible. Many thanks go to the people of Benton.
“I promise to work hard for the people of Benton and I will make you proud.”
The result came well into the night after the count was delayed due to the late arrival of thousands of postal votes which had to be processed before the count could begin.
But there were still huge cheers on the night as Coun Mudzingwa’s victory was confirmed. It was a good night for Labour overall, with the party winning 18 of the 20 seats available on the night, and making two gains including the seat of Conservative Group leader Sean Brockbank.
However, they also lost one seat to the Conservatives, meaning the party now has 51 seats of the 60 on the council, with the Tories holding the other nine.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the count, the now Coun Mudzingwa said: “I’m very pleased, because I wasn’t expecting it and I’ve worked really hard to get where I am.
“In my eyes, North Tyneside is a very diverse community and every child here deserves to feel that they are also represented.
“I decided to run because if you have any worries or things you are not happy with, and you decide to hide away, you are not helping yourself.
“It is good for me, because I beat the Conservatives – they got 534 votes and I got 1,577 – it was huge. That goes to the people of Benton – those people are very, very good people, they love democracy and I am so proud.”
“I wasn’t expeting it and I’ve worked really hard to get where I am