Local by-election looms after Labour councillor resigns

LABOUR'S command of Newcastle City Council has suffered another blow after one of its councillors resigned.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Milo Barnett has vacated his South Jesmond seat, setting the stage for what could be a fascinating by-election.

Labour has been running a minority administration at the city council since last December, when former leader Nick Kemp and five others quit the party.

Following Monument ward councillor Jane Byrne shifting allegiances to become an independent in April and now Mr Barnett’s decision to step down, which has been made for work-related reasons, Labour now holds just 37 of the council's 78 seats.

No date has yet been set for a by-election, in which Labour will be trying to defend a seat likely to be targeted by the Liberal Democrats and Greens.