Labour’s heartland is now being lost

Jun 6 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

Mr Harrison was up against a Conservative party which threw its weight behind its candidate, with visits from most of the shadow cabinet.

And the Labour group say they knew when they were campaigning that while voters were generally happy with Mr Harrison, they were reluctant to vote for Gordon Brown’s Labour party. But when asked if he thought the PM was a burden or a benefit, Mr Harrison would only say last week’s visit led to some “positive talks”.

Mr Harrison said: “I have done my time for North Tyneside but I will not be back. I have left it in a much stronger position than ever before with clear plans for the future.

“Personally I do not think those plans will materialise now, plans for houses, regeneration on North bank of the Tyne and the A19, but it is a sad day for North Tyneside.

“This is me finished with politics, I’ll take time to enjoy spending time with my family.”

The Conservatives were last night planning to use the victory as a stepping stone towards a General Election win in Tyneside.

Last night David Cameron said: “Today’s results are remarkable. The Conservative Party have won all over the country – from Lancashire to Devon and Somerset to Derbyshire. We have won councils that we haven’t held for three decades.

“Meanwhile Gordon Brown has been forced to carry out an emergency reshuffle to cling on to office.

“At a time when Britain needs a united and strong Government all they get is a weak and divided one. Britain deserves better than this.”

A FORMER football mascot who promised free bananas to schoolchildren has been elected to serve a third term as Mayor of Hartlepool.

Stuart Drummond was re-elected in Hartlepool’s vote for a directly elected mayor, with a majority of more than 800 votes.