After what has felt like a very long campaign we finally have the result we’ve been waiting for. The good people of Preston ward have resoundingly chosen my Labour colleague Cath Davis to continue representing them.
Due to a strange mix of the cancelling of elections in 2020 due to covid, and an election plus by-election on the same day in May 2021, Cath found herself having to defend her seat after just 1 year. I’m really pleased to see that despite the cynical efforts of the local Conservatives to discredit and undermine her she remains as popular as ever with local people. Well done Cath, I’m looking forward to continuing to work together as a strong team bringing improvements to the local area in the years ahead.
There have also been some really encouraging results for my Labour colleagues in neighbouring wards. Cllr Sarah Day had a great result in Tynemouth, as did Cllr Willie Samuel in Cullercoats, both holding their seats. I was pleased to hear that Tricia Neira has become our new Labour councillor in Howden and that Martin Murphy took the seat of the Conservative Group leader in Monkseaton South. There were also great results for us across Whitley Bay and Wallsend – too many names to mention. Well done one and all. The only tinge of sadness from last night is from Collingwood ward, where we lost a very dedicated and able local councillor, Steve Cox.
Full results from Preston Ward are provided below:
- Frank Austin, Independent: 91
- Cath Davis, Labour: 1522
- Neil Graham, Conservative: 1264
- Hugh Jackson, UKIP: 48
- Rob Wylie, Green Party: 155
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