Labour re-elect leadership after bruising contest

TEAM VOW TO REBUILD PARTY FOLLOWING REFORM'S SURGE

- By JAMES ROBINSON

THE top team at Northumberland Labour has been re-elected despite a bruising night for the party at local elections.

Druridge Bay councillor Scott Dickinson was unanimously elected for a second term as party leader. Lynemouth’s Liz Dunn has been returned as his deputy, while Ashington Central councillor Caroline Ball will be party chairman.

Labour suffered significant losses in their traditional heartlands in Northumberland last week, with Reform UK making big gains in Ashington and Blyth. The party, which was in power at county hall between 2013 and 2017, lost 10 seats and now has just eight councillors.

Coun Dickinson, who has been leader since 2017, vowed to rebuild the party after a difficult election. However, he admitted it was the most challenging time Labour has faced in the county for a number of years.