Déjà vu, anyone? As local election day approaches in Newcastle, questions once again hang over the leadership of the city’s ruling Labour Party.
Having been the challenger for the past two years and successfully claimed power in 2022, Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp now finds himself as the challenged. News was confirmed on Thursday that Ged Bell, a long-time ally of former Tyneside Labour supremo Nick Forbes, has triggered a leadership contest in what is the latest episode of the party’s internal drama.
The Labour conflict adds a layer of intrigue to polling day on May 4. The party has been in power in Newcastle since 2011 and its position as the dominant presence within the council chamber will almost certainly be unchanged come next weekend. But as opponents eye up the prospect of a few scalps, the pressure will be on Coun Kemp in what is the first test of his administration at the ballot box.
