The Green Party has secured its third seat on Newcastle City Council after a nail-biting victory in South Jesmond, as Labour’s vote share plummeted from 42% to just 17% in what was once considered safe territory for the ruling party.
Dr Sarah Peters, a 27-year-old intensive care doctor at Newcastle’s hospitals, won Thursday’s by-election by a margin of just 55 votes ahead of Liberal Democrat candidate Jude Browne. The result marks another significant blow to Labour’s already weakened position in Newcastle, where the party lost its majority last year and now operates a minority administration.
The dramatic collapse in Labour support – from 42.1% when Milo Barnett was elected in May 2024 to just 16.8% – comes despite high-profile campaign visits from Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, highlighting the party’s struggles both locally and nationally.
A Photo Finish with Major Implications
The South Jesmond by-election, triggered by Labour councillor Milo Barnett’s resignation, had been predicted as too close to call, and the final results justified that assessment. Speaking after the count at Newcastle Civic Centre on Friday morning, Dr Peters expressed her delight at what she described as evidence that “people are seeing that we can offer real hope and real change.”
“We have lots of momentum after gaining our first seats on the council last year,” Peters told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “We can expect really positive things in May, big gains, and I am really excited.”
The Green victory represents the party’s third council seat in Newcastle, building on breakthrough gains made in 2024 when they secured their first representation on the authority. For a party that had previously struggled to make electoral headway in the city, the result demonstrates growing support for their message on environmental issues and social justice.
Labour’s Dramatic Decline
The scale of Labour’s collapse in South Jesmond has sent shockwaves through Newcastle politics. Colin Ferguson, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat opposition group, described the result as “not far away from a coin toss” but noted that Labour had “absolutely collapsed and people in the city are losing faith in them.”
This assessment appears supported by the numbers. Labour’s share of the vote has more than halved in just over a year, pushing them into a distant third place in a ward where they still hold the two other council seats through Lesley Storey and Laura Cummings.
The timing could hardly be worse for Labour, coming amid plummeting national poll ratings and continued political turmoil in Newcastle following the loss of their council majority. The party’s struggles locally mirror broader challenges faced by Sir Keir Starmer’s government, which has seen its popularity decline sharply since taking office.
Deputy Leader Acknowledges Disappointment
Alex Hay, Newcastle City Council’s deputy leader, acknowledged the result was “clearly disappointing” while praising Labour candidate Owen Bell for bringing “energy, thoughtfulness and a strong connection to the local community” to the campaign.
In a statement that struck a conciliatory tone, Coun Hay said: “We would like to thank everyone who voted Labour and everyone who took the time to speak with us during the campaign. We are also grateful to all the members and volunteers who gave their time so generously. We congratulate Sarah Peters and wish them well in representing the ward alongside our two Labour councillors.”
Despite the setback, Hay insisted that “this Labour council remains focused on delivering for the people of Newcastle” and would “keep working every day to improve services, support communities and stand up for our city.”
Green Momentum Building
For the Green Party, the victory in South Jesmond represents more than just an additional council seat. It demonstrates their ability to win in diverse areas of Newcastle and suggests they could be genuine contenders in the crucial all-out elections scheduled for May 2025.
Dr Peters, who stood as the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Newcastle North in the 2024 general election, has quickly emerged as a key figure in the party’s local growth. Her background as an NHS doctor working in intensive care has given her credibility on health issues, whilst her youth appeals to younger voters increasingly concerned about climate change and social justice.
The party’s success in Newcastle mirrors gains made elsewhere, including a by-election victory in Cardiff’s Grangetown ward on the same night, where Matt Youde became the Green Party’s first councillor in the Welsh capital.
Policy Differences Come to the Fore
The campaign highlighted significant policy differences between the parties, particularly on transport and environmental issues. Dr Peters specifically criticised the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in South Jesmond, arguing that while she supports the concept as general policy, “the way it was put in in South Jesmond was not helpful for the community and led to areas like Osborne Road being more polluted.”
This nuanced position – supporting active travel initiatives while acknowledging community concerns about implementation – appears to have resonated with voters in the affluent suburb. Peters emphasised the importance of “working with people to see how we can improve active travel, bringing the community with us.”
Liberal Democrats Miss Out Narrowly
For the Liberal Democrats, finishing just 55 votes behind the winner represents both frustration and encouragement. Jude Browne’s strong showing demonstrates the party remains competitive in Newcastle, particularly in areas like South Jesmond with its large student population and professional demographic.
Colin Ferguson’s assessment that the result showed Labour’s collapse rather than necessarily endorsing any single alternative suggests the Liberal Democrats believe they can capitalise further on Labour’s difficulties in future elections.
Reform UK and Conservatives Trail
Thursday’s by-election was notable as the first electoral test in Newcastle since Reform UK’s dramatic rise in national opinion polls and their historic capture of Durham County Council earlier this year. However, Gavin Maw’s fourth-place finish ahead of the Conservatives suggests Nigel Farage’s party has yet to make significant inroads in Newcastle’s more affluent areas.
The Conservative candidate Stephen Callum Dawes finished fifth, continuing the party’s long-standing struggles in Newcastle where they have minimal representation and influence.
Looking Ahead to May 2025
The South Jesmond result takes on added significance given the upcoming all-out elections in May 2025, when all 78 council seats will be contested rather than the usual one-third. These elections have the potential to radically reshape Newcastle’s political landscape and determine the city’s direction for years to come.
Currently, the council operates under no overall control, with Labour running a minority administration following the loss of their majority last year. The arithmetic remains challenging for all parties, but the Green Party’s momentum and Labour’s continued struggles suggest May could see significant changes.
For Labour, the challenge is stark. They must arrest their decline and rebuild support in traditional strongholds whilst defending against challenges from multiple directions. The Green Party’s ability to win in different types of wards suggests they could mount credible campaigns across the city.
The Liberal Democrats, having demonstrated their competitiveness, will likely target specific wards where they believe Labour is vulnerable. Meanwhile, Reform UK may focus on different demographics and areas from those contested in South Jesmond.
National Context Adds Pressure
The by-election result comes at a particularly sensitive time for Labour nationally. With Sir Keir Starmer’s government facing criticism over various policies and declining poll ratings, local election results are being scrutinised for signs of broader electoral trends.
The collapse in Labour’s vote share in Newcastle – a city that has been a Labour stronghold for decades – will concern party strategists. If replicated across other urban areas in May’s local elections, it could signal serious problems for the government’s political standing.
For the Green Party, success in Newcastle adds to a pattern of breakthrough results in urban areas across England. As environmental concerns rise up the political agenda and younger voters seek alternatives to traditional parties, the Greens are positioning themselves as a credible option for progressive voters disillusioned with Labour.
Conclusion
The South Jesmond by-election may have been decided by just 55 votes, but its implications extend far beyond one council ward. Labour’s dramatic loss of support, the Green Party’s continued growth, and the competitive showing from the Liberal Democrats all point to a volatile political landscape in Newcastle.
As attention turns to May’s all-out elections, all parties will be reassessing their strategies. For Labour, the priority must be stemming further losses and reconnecting with voters who have clearly lost faith. For the Greens and Liberal Democrats, the opportunity exists to fundamentally alter Newcastle’s political balance.
What seems certain is that Newcastle’s days as a Labour stronghold are over. The question now is what comes next, and which party or parties can build the coalitions necessary to govern effectively in an increasingly fragmented political environment.
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