Hexham constituency Labour Party sees multiple activists resign to back Jamie Driscoll

Eight members of the Hexham Constituency Labour Party left the organisation on Monday, the day Mr Driscoll announced he would be standing as an independent candidate for the new North East mayoral role.

It follows resignations of Labour councillors in both Northumberland and North Tyneside after Mr Driscoll was blocked from standing to be the party’s candidate in next year’s election.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness was selected as the candidate on Monday, fending off competition from former North East MEP Paul Brannen.

Former Hexham CLP member Brian Singer has been an active member of the Labour Party for more than 30 years, and has held several officer positions in the CLP. However, he tendered his resignation and branded the party’s selection process “undemocratic.”

He said: “It was with a heavy heart that on Monday I resigned from the Labour Party.

"I did so because I do not like the treatment that Jamie Driscoll received in being barred from standing as a prospective Labour candidate for North East Mayor.

“I cannot remain in a party that undemocratically selects its candidates and undemocratically deselects current elected office holders.

"I look forward to campaigning for Jamie in the election for North East Mayor next spring as his record shows that he is more than capable of being the best candidate and of doing the best job as North East Mayor.”

Mr Singer also criticised Labour leader Keir Starmer for “U-turns” on previous policy pledges. This came in the wake of Mr Starmer confirming Labour would not look to abolish the controversial two-child cap on child benefits, despite previously saying he wanted to scrap it.

Another CLP member, Martin Tierney, felt the party was being led from Westminster.

He said: “Like other members I am appalled at the ‘fixed’ selection process and with the Labour Party not allowing members to democratically choose from a valid list of candidates, but instead from a list of those selected by Westminster HQ.

“Jamie’s plans for an integrated travel scheme and for fighting child poverty in the North East are both impressive and realistic.”

It is understood that Mr Driscoll, described as “the last Corbynista in power,” was blocked from standing as a candidate after sharing a platform with film director Ken Loach. Mr Loach was himself expelled from the party in 2021.

Responding to the concerns raised about the selection process, a spokesman for the Labour Party said: “The process to select candidates is undertaken and overseen by Labour’s National Executive Committee, fully in line with our policies and procedures.”