RECAP: How the South Tyneside Council local elections unfolded, as Labour kept comfortable control but lost four seats to the Greens, Tories and an Independent
The Gazette team worked through the night to keep readers up-to-date with the results. This is how the night unfolded:
South Tyneside Council elections 2021
Key Events
- Labour lost four seats, but is still comfortably in control of the council
- The Green Party took a seat in Beacon and Bents, where it now has two councillors, and one in West Park
- The Conservatives claimed a seat in Cleadon and East Boldon
- An independent candidate also claimed a seat in Primrose
The second Green Party councillor elected tonight, Peter Bristow, said the result “still hasn’t sunk in.”
The councillor, who will represent West Park, said opposition is “vitally important” and that the council has been in “dire need of fresh voices and new perspectives.”
Westoe RESULT (Labour hold)
Ann Best (Lab) 922
Paul Brenen (Ind) 707
Anna-Louise Lambie (Green) 235
Heidi Wildhirt (Con) 530
Monkton RESULT (Labour hold x2)
Rhiannon Curtis (Green) 189
Peter Hamilton (Ind) 640
Joan Keegan (Lab) 1,022
Margaret Meling (Lab) 707
Graeme Slator (Ind) 655
Chris Smith (Con) 292
Margaret Snowling (Con) 252
Marian Stead (Reform UK) 90
David Kennedy was the only new independent councillor elected on the night and won the Primrose seat from Labour with 793 votes.
His key priorities include fixing potholes and pavements and dealing with parking issues.
The newly elected councillor said the increased number of opposition members was a “small step in the right direction.”
He added: “I’m in awe and it’s still a bit of a shock, especially after seeing the earlier results.”
