Want the top news headlines sent to your inbox daily? Sign up to our FREE newsletter below Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A left-wing candidate with less than a year of experience in front line politics has toppled his own leader to be elected Labour's North of Tyne mayoral candidate.

Jamie Driscoll, who until recent weeks had virtually no political profile, stunned Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes to win the nomination.

Backed by Momentum and endorsed by shadow chancellor John McDonnell, the vocal Jeremy Corbyn supporter and Newcastle councillor comfortably defeated the leader of his own council.

He won by 2,514 votes to 1,913 in a vote of North East Labour party members and will go into the historic May 2 election as a clear frontrunner.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

After a victory which reaffirms the grip of Corbynites over the party at all levels, he set out a radical and ambitious platform for his mayoral campaign.

Speaking immediately after the result, he said: "Austerity is crushing our communities, our fellow citizens need foodbanks just to eat.

"Our region is being bled dry by Westminster."

He reiterated campaign pledges to set up a 'People's Bank', "declare a climate emergency" and cut ties with large corporate contractors in favour of local suppliers.

Speaking to ChronicleLive, he said: "We need a mayor who will be close to the people, out talking to the people, but mostly a mayor who will deliver policies that make a difference."

Coun Driscoll, 48, is originally from Teesside and is a well known organiser on the left of the North East politics.

Since the sale of the software firm he was a company director of, he has home-schooled his children and established himself as a key behind-the-scenes figure on the Corbynite wing of the Labour party.

The result raises questions about Coun Forbes' future, a politician who has become synonymous with the city after eight years as council leader.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

He's expected to remain as leader but there's little doubt his position has been weakened.

Coun Forbes Tweeted shortly after the result: "Congratulations to [Driscoll] on winning the Labour nomination for the North of Tyne Mayoral election.

"Now the work starts to ensure we elect a Labour Mayor!

"Thank you to everyone who supported me and campaigned for me, your friendship means a great deal."

It also shines a light on splits within the party in the North East in the same week as eight Labour MPs broke away from the party over the leadership's record on Brexit and anti-Semitism.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Former Newcastle councillor, Simon Bird, openly criticised Coun Driscoll on Twitter: "Corbyn/Momentum tighten grip on Labour Party in N-E. Big win for the hard left. A victory for sloganeering and inexperience over substance."

Coun Driscoll played down splits in the party, saying: "The Labour party in this part of the world is united in know that we need good regional policies that are going to protect us from the sort of cuts we are facing from Westminster...I'm confident we are totally united on this."

The result was announced by North Tyneside mayor and interim North of Tyne mayor Norma Redfearn - who had publicly backed Coun Forbes' campaign - at the Park Hotel in Tynemouth.

It's not yet clear who known who Coun Driscoll's main competitor will be, with the Conservatives not due to make an announcement until the end of the month.

Former Newcastle councillor John Appleby will stand for the Liberal Democrats.