Left-wing Mayor quits Labour with blast at Keir Starmer over 'broken promises'

17 July 2023 , 13:18

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North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll said he was left with 'no other choice' (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Labour Mayor Jamie Driscoll has announced he has quit the party - just weeks after being blocked from standing for a new role representing the North East.

The left-winger, who has been the North of Tyne Mayor since 2019, said he will now serve as an Independent and criticised Keir Starmer for U-turning on promises.

Mr Driscoll joined the party in 1985 but said today: "It is with a heavy heart and deep disappointment that I am leaving the Labour Party." He said he was left with "no other choice" after he was stopped from standing for election in the new position of North East Mayor in 2024.

Last month a senior Labour source said the decision to block Mr Driscoll was linked to an on-stage appearance with film director Ken Loach, who was expelled from the party in 2021.

The left-wing Mayor criticised Keir Starmer in his resignation letter for U-turning on promises (PA)

But the Labour figure said he had been given no explanation for the "capricious" decision.

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In his resignation letter to Mr Starmer today, he wrote: "Given you have barred me from running as North East Mayor, despite being incumbent mayor, I have no other choice.

"In 2020 you told me to my face that you would 'inspire people to come together... disciplining people to be united is going nowhere.' You've broken that promise."

He also hit out at the Labour leader's decision to drop his pledge to abolish university tuition fees and water down a £28-billion-a-year climate commitment.

Mr Driscoll added: "It is not grown-up politics to say Britain is broken, and then claim things are now so difficult we will abandon any plan to fix it. That is mental gymnastics worthy of Olympic gold. "

Mr Driscoll added on Monday that "people are tired of being controlled by Westminster and party HQs" as the left-wing Momentum group hit out at an "anti-democratic purge".

The left-leaning mayor will seek to stand as an independent in the mayoralty contest for the expanded North East authority.

A Labour spokesperson told The Mirror: "The Labour Party is delighted that local party members have selected Kim McGuinness as our candidate for the North East Mayoral election next year.

"With Keir Starmer as leader, the Labour Party is a changed party, relentlessly focussed on delivering for working people, and we make no apologies that Labour candidates are held to the highest standard.

"The Tories have let our region down, and as Labour mayor, Kim will be the strong voice the North East deserves."

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