The 2023 Local Elections produced almost no changes at all in the balance of power in North Tyneside, with the Labour Party’s grip on control holding firm.
The party lost a seat in the Collingwood ward to the Conservative Party candidate John Johnsson, but James Spowart took Cullercoats from the Tories to leave Labour holding 51 of 60 seats overall. All the focus prior to polling day was on the St Mary’s ward, where former Conservative group leader George Westwater was standing as an Independent against his former party.
Mr Westwater was deselected by his party in October, before he – along with fellow St Mary’s Conservative councillors Pam McIntyre and Judith Wallace – resigned from the party to serve as Independents in February. The trio cited “serious concerns” around “bullying and hostile conduct” as their reason for leaving the party.
