Labour bruised by Tory Mayor victory; CAMERON WELCOMES 'REMARKABLE' TYNESIDE SUCCESS

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 6, 2009

Byline: ADRAIN PEARSON

TORIES on Tyneside were today warned not to expect a repeat of their election victory.

Linda Arkley is settling in to her new role as mayor of North Tyneside - a victory which David Cameron described as "remarkable".

But as Ms Arkley prepares to go over council spending figures and plan the next five years, Labour promised it will do all it can to ensure Tyneside does not get a Tory MP.

Ms Arkley returns to the job she held for two years until 2005 after pipping incumbent John Harrison by 27,083 votes to his 22,634.

She claimed her victory was down to success on local issues, but called for a General Election to let the country have its say on Gordon Brown.

Today Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell said Mr Brown was the right person to lead the county.

he said: "It is opportunistic of the Tories to call for an election or claim this is a test of Gordon Brown." The Labour MP said: "If I was his spin doctor I would be telling him to talk about the personality of Gordon Brown rather than engage in policy issues, because they know they would lose that debate.

"Cameron and his party remain policy-light both nationally and locally." Asked if the Conservatives would repeat their success in a General Election he said: "To some extent we have been here before.

We've had Tory mayors here and a low Labour vote but still held MPs seats in 2005.

"That does not mean we are complacent, but it does mean we have to show how Labour are doing all they can to invest in the economy against a Tory party who would cut spending." Labour's future in Tyneside will not include John Harrison.

After the election, Mr Harrison said: "I have done my time for North Tyneside but I will not be back." He added: "My intention is that I am finished with politics and I will move on and do other things.

"I will not be coming back to politics. Since 2005 I have been doing 12-hour days, seven days a week, and I think my family has missed me." The new mayor said: "I think it's a shame that John has said he will step down, it is a shame when anyone who has dedicated themselves to public service leaves.

"But I think maybe John will take some time to think about this and perhaps reconsider. He should not say this is a bad result for North Tyneside, I'm sad to hear him say that because in effect it is John saying the voters are wrong." COMMENT: PAGE 6