Newcastle’s embattled council leader says he is “immensely sad” after being deselected by his party.
Nick Forbes suffered a landslide defeat at a Labour branch meeting in his Arthur’s Hill ward on Tuesday night, a remarkable result that has sent shockwaves through the city’s political establishment.
It means that the 48-year-old cannot stand as a Labour candidate in May’s local elections unless he finds an alternative seat – and even if he were to successfully run in another ward, there would be serious questions about his ability to continue as the party’s leader in the city.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council leader and prominent local government figure said it had been a “huge privilege” to represent the Arthur’s Hill area for 22 years.
Coun Forbes confirmed that he would “take some time” to consider his future and whether to try and remain on the council beyond May, adding that he would continue on as leader for the remainder of his term in office.
Labour sources had suggested that he may seek to challenge the result of the selection meeting that saw local activist Abdul Samad defeat him by a margin of 13 votes to four in a poll of party members on Tuesday, but there was no mention at all of that in his statement.
He added: “I have worked hard, alongside the local community, to promote clean safe streets and public spaces, tackle the problems caused by uncaring private landlords, and support those who struggle with financial problems.
“I am proud to have campaigned for every council house in the area to be upgraded to modern standards, for dozens of new council homes, for top class facilities such as the new Newcastle United Foundation sports centre, Nun’s Moor Children’s Centre, Westgate Hill Primary School and the Sikh Gurdwara to be located in the ward and funding for the neighbourhood groups that bring our diverse communities together.
“I have promoted Labour’s core values of fairness, equality and social justice in all my work in the ward.
“I am therefore immensely sad that Labour Party members have chosen a different candidate to stand for Arthur’s Hill in the May local elections, although I congratulate Abdul Samad on his victory and wish him every success.”
Coun Forbes has led the city’s Labour group since 2007 and the council since 2011, while he also serves as Labour’s leader on the Local Government Association and is a member of Labour’s National Executive Committee.
He praised the “constant inspiration” of dedicated residents and community groups in the West End of the city and said that party members have approached him already about standing in a different ward.
He added: “I would now like to take some time to consider these options for the future. In the meantime, I will continue to serve as Leader of the Council for the remainder of my term of office as an Arthur’s Hill Labour and Co-operative Party councillor.”
It is not the first time Coun Forbes has run into jeopardy caused by internal party divisions, having been forced to fend off a leadership challenge last year.
He also failed to secure Labour’s nomination for North of Tyne mayor in 2019, with Corbynite Jamie Driscoll defeating the more centrist council supremo.
After news of Coun Forbes’ defeat, the city’s Liberal Democrat opposition quickly raised concerns over the council’s uncertain leadership at a crucial time.
Opposition leader Nick Cott said: “Infighting in the Labour group is throwing all of the council’s plans into jeopardy. Covid recovery, Net Zero, School Streets, the regeneration of our local high streets, the repair of the Tyne Bridge.
"How many of these projects can we be confident the council will deliver when the Labour administration seem more interested in political infighting than delivering for the city?”
