Reform UK new opposition in North Tyneside
BBCReform UK has become the chief opposition to Labour's North Tyneside Council, following a dominant set of local council elections.
Mathematically, the incumbent Labour administration was guaranteed to remain in charge as only a third of the seats were contested.
The ruling party held on to five of the 17 seats it was defending, losing out to Reform UK and the Greens. Three Labour cabinet members also lost their seats.
Labour mayor Karen Clark said the results were "challenging but that is what people have told us they want". While newly elected Reform councillor Steven Robinson said: "The people have been asking for change."
The new Chirton and Percy Main representative went on: "Reform is that change that North Tyneside and the country needs."
The new makeup of the council was as follows:
- Labour - 38
- Reform - 11
- Conservative - 8
- Green - 2
- Independent - 1
Clark said "it could have been worse" but reflected on the "sad loss of hardworking Labour councillors who've served their communities for decades".
It was also a historic afternoon for the Greens, who saw their first councillors elected to the local authority.
One of those was Martin Osborne, who was tearful as he said: "I feel amazing, it's a tough day for Labour but hopefully this is the beginning of a Green breakthrough."
There was a quiet moment during the count when Reform UK councillor Dan Robson was elected, but did not take the stage for his victory speech.
The BBC was told the newly-elected Howdon ward councillor was a "last minute candidate" and was on a family holiday.
Turnout was 42.2%.
