LABOUR has lost control of Newcastle city council after six councillors quit the party in protest against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s policies.

The party now holds just 39 of 78 seats on the council, although it has not had to surrender the political leadership yet.

Among those leaving are former council leader Nick Kemp. There are now 14 independents serving on the council.

David Wood, one of those who resigned on Tuesday evening, said that the government’s cuts to the winter fuel allowance, the increase in the bus fare cap and the university tuition fee rise were key factors in his decision.

Fellow independent councillor Stevie Wood also blamed the winter fuel allowance cut and interference by the regional party bureaucracy as reasons for leaving.

Former local metro mayor Jamie Driscoll, who was blocked from standing for re-election for the party, welcomed the move as strengthening independent community challenges to Labour across the region.

“Hundreds of people have come together in a progressive alliance, starting in the north-east backing candidates with integrity who will take no whip and put their communities first,” he said.

He is co-ordinating an alliance aiming to stand candidates in Northumberland and Durham in 2025 and other local authorities in 2026.

The defections deepen Labour’s local government crisis. 

More than 100 councillors have resigned from the party over the last year in protest against its support for Israel’s Gaza genocide.

And since coming to office, it has lost local by-elections hand over fist to Greens, Tories and Reform.