Newcastle’s council leader says it is “remarkably disappointing” to face a challenge to his position after just a year – with his deputy now also hit with an internal Labour battle.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) revealed last week how Nick Kemp will be forced to contest a leadership election with Kenton councillor Ged Bell, the latest in a series of party dramas over recent years. And, as voters went to the polls on local election day on Thursday, it emerged that a second challenge to Newcastle City Council’s top duo is also brewing.
Labour’s deputy council leader Karen Kilgour is now in a contest to retain her job against Clare Penny-Evans, who was narrowly beaten to the leadership position by Coun Kemp last year. Votes on both positions are due to be held next week at the council’s Labour group annual general meeting on Tuesday, May 9.
Read More: Labour lose seats in Newcastle but remain dominant force – as council leader prepares for challenge
This is the latest episode in a long-running power struggle between rival factions in the city’s ruling party. Previous council leader Nick Forbes was dramatically ousted in 2022 when he was deselected by Labour members in his ward.
Both Coun Bell and Coun Penny-Evans were allies of his and served in the council’s cabinet prior to Coun Kemp’s rise to power a year ago.
Speaking to the LDRS in the early hours of Friday morning, the council leader said: “I have set out a very clear agenda. A year in it is remarkably disappointing [to face a leadership challenge] and I don’t think it can help the view of the electorate on instability in a party.
“I am committed to delivering for the electorate – I set a clear agenda last year and I am committed to that, as is Coun Kilgour. I think we are providing strong leadership and really I ask the group to come together to do what we should be doing, which is representing the city.”
Labour saw its position on the city council weaken slightly on local election day, with a net loss of three seats. While gaining one seat in Callerton and Throckley, there were four notable losses to report.
The Lib Dem opposition claimed victory in both North Jesmond and West Fenham, while the Newcastle Independents added to their tally with success in both the Lemington ward and in Denton and Westerhope. The balance of Newcastle City Council’s 78 seats is now: Labour 48 (-3), Lib Dem 23 (+2), Newcastle Independents 4 (+1), Independent 3 (—).
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