Welcome to the first edition of Gateshead Liberal Democrats' email newsletter. The elections - general and local - are now over. We look at the results in the wards we won and others where we did well. We also dip in to a recent Gateshead Council meeting to see the debate on Labour's plans for housing on our local greenbelt.
Jonathan Wallace and Frank Hindle, Lib Dem candidates for Blaydon and Gateshead constituencies respectively.
A message from Frank Hindle and Jonathan Wallace to Lib Dem members in Gateshead.
We always knew that the general election was going to be tough but we went into the elections on 7th May determined to put in the best campaign we could. Our top priority was to hold the seats we had on Gateshead Council. We did that. And we came within 23 votes of taking a seat from Labour.
Thank you to everyone who helped the campaign across Gateshead. From envelope stuffing to pounding the streets, there was much to be done. In various wards we out-campaigned all the other parties put together. We had great local literature and great issues on which to campaign.
As the dust settles after the election, we can be proud of our local election performance in Gateshead. Over the coming 5 years of this Parliament, we will have great opportunities to take council seats from Labour and to build a stronger party here. We also welcome the many new members who have joined the Lib Dems since 7th May - 22 so far in Gateshead.
The local party will be holding a number of events for members over the coming months. We will keep you informed once they have been arranged. In the meantime, if there is anything about the party or our work as councillors you want to raise, please feel free to email us by replying to this email.
Winning in the local elections
Elections to Gateshead Council took place on the same day as the general election. Lib Dems defended seats in Whickham North, Low Fell and Whickham South and Sunniside. Dunston Hill and Whickham East was also a target for us to gain. We also aimed to put in good performances in Ryton, Crookhill and Stella and in Pelaw and Heworth wards so that they are winnable in future elections.
Labour target stays Lib Dem
The Whickham North Team - Cllr Peter Craig, Cllr Chris Ord and Cllr Sonya Hawkins.
Whickham North and Swalwell was Labour's top target in the North East last year but Labour were dumbfounded when the Lib Dem majority trebled to 300. Their attempts to win the seat this year were equally unsuccessful when Chris Ord increased the Lib Dem majority to 340.
"I won my seat from Labour 23 years ago," said Chris. "People like the team of councillors we have in the ward - myself, Peter Craig and Sonya Hawkins. Labour went on record during the campaign saying they expected to win my seat. My increased majority wiped the smiles off their faces."
Flogging a dead horse? - not here!
Team Low Fell: Cllr Ron Beadle, Cllr Frank Hindle, Cllr Susan Craig.
Low Fell has been on Labour's target list for over 20 years. Labour however keep suffering from repeat defeat syndrome in which they believe they will win but always end up as also-rans. That did not stop Labour deputy leader on Gateshead Council, Martin Gannon, telling Lib Dems delivering leaflets in the ward that we were "flogging a dead horse." Yet again, the Lib Dem horse was very much alive and in what is a two horse race for the ward, it was a horse destined to go over the finishing line first.
Lib Dem deputy leader on Gateshead Council, Ron Beadle, increased the majority from 300 to over 600. "Labour thought we were dead in the water," said Ron. "The reality was that we were very much alive and winning the race for Low Fell."
Taking nothing for granted
The Whickham South and Sunniside Team: Cllr Marilynn Ord, Cllr Jonathan Wallace and Cllr John McClurey. The cake celebrated 30 years of Focus newsletters in the Whickham area. Keeping in touch was a key issue for Lib Dems.
Leader of the Lib Dem Group, Jonathan Wallace, first won his seat from the Conservatives 28 years ago. He was interested to read in the Chronicle that Labour were expecting to win his Whickham South and Sunniside ward, despite their barely noticeable campaign. Nevertheless, Jonathan took nothing for granted. He was re-elected with a 1200 majority and his largest vote ever in the 9 times he has been elected by his fellow residents.
"Labour seemed to think they just had to stand a candidate and they would cruise to victory," said Jonathan. "They got nowhere. After 28 years, I must be doing something right!"
Knife edge result
Cllr Peter Maughan with Kevin McClurey.
Dunston Hill and Whickham East ward, for the 2nd year running, turned out to be the most closely fought contest in Gateshead. Last year Labour clung on by just 78 votes. This time, they clung on by an even more slender 23 votes.
Lib Dem candidate Kevin McClurey was aiming to join Peter Maughan as one of the Councillors in the ward. "The result was even more knife-edge than last year," said Kevin. "We ran a great campaign and Labour were saved from defeat only because of the extra voters that came out for the general election."
Labour's greenbelt housing plans agreed
Gateshead Labour Party has been pushing ahead with plans to build housing on local greenbelt. Their plans were finally approved at a meeting of Gateshead Council in March. Lib Dems have led the battle against the them. You can see the contributions to the debate from Cllr Peter Maughan and Cllr Jonathan Wallace in this video.
Leadership election
Norman Lamb and Tim Farron are bidding to be the new Lib Dem Leader to replace Nick Clegg.
The election of a new leader to replace Nick Clegg is likely to see two candidates in the running: Tim Farron and Norman Lamb. We will know whether other candidates are standing on 3rd June when the nominations close though further contenders are not expected.
You can visit the websites of the contenders on the following links:
There will be a hustings meeting in Newcastle on 19th June. The time and venue are yet to be arranged but we'll let you know as soon as we have any information. All members are very welcome to come to the event.
Members will start to receive ballot papers on 24th June and will need to be returned by 15th July. The result will be declared on 16th July.
If you know of anyone who supports the Lib Dems and is not a member, they will be able to vote in the leadership election if they join before 3rd June. Direct them to this link.
