Labour says last week's election gives them 'encouragement'

There were no local elections in Northumberland this year, but in Newcastle, Labour remains the dominant political force in the city, maintaining its large majority despite four noteworthy defeats at the ballot box on Thursday (May 4).

Labour gained the Callerton and Throckley seat from the Newcastle Independents party - villages which could move into the Hexham constituency under proposals by the Boundary Commission for England (BCE).

Adam Walker, the Labour candidate, received 1,080 votes to become a Newcastle city councillor, beating Newcastle Independents' John Gordon and Conservative candidate John Dobie. They received 541 and 481 votes respectively.

John Hanley, chair of Hexham Constituency Labour Party, said: "Callerton and Throckley is due to move into Hexham Constituency following boundary changes announced by the Electoral Commission, so the result gives us more encouragement that a Labour MP could be elected in Hexham.

"Labour has done well in local elections across the country, so Keir Starmer is on track to be the next Prime Minister.

"We are delighted that Adam has been elected. Lots of Hexham CLP members helped with his campaign.

"On the doorstep, not many voters were aware of the impending boundary changes, but there were many voters who said they are planning to vote Labour in the next General Election."

The final boundary proposals will be submitted to Parliament by July this year.

The changes could be enacted by the time of the next general election, which must be held before January 2025.