Former Labour Mayor Jamie Driscoll Campaigns for Greens in Newcastle Council Battle
Jamie Driscoll, the former Labour mayor for North of Tyne, is now a high-profile recruit for the Green party, standing in the central Monument ward for Newcastle city council. On a cold, blustery day, he rallied a dozen supporters, joking about "would-be penguins huddling together for warmth" as they braved the weather to deliver leaflets and knock on doors. This campaign effort comes amid a pivotal moment for the north-east of England, where Labour faces potential setbacks in council elections.
Voter Disillusionment and the Shift to Greens
Many of Driscoll's campaigners are former Labour voters who have grown disillusioned with the party under Keir Starmer's leadership. Maysie Sharp, a 75-year-old retired stilt walker, joined Labour before Jeremy Corbyn's leadership but left due to policies including those on Gaza. She stated, "I joined the Greens because I think people need hope. The Greens do seem to have a plan. I'm 75 and have grandchildren and I want there to be a world for my grandchildren." Similarly, Richie Barlow, 44, called Starmer a "red Tory" and emphasized the need for a viable alternative to the two-party system.
The Anti-Reform Vote Dilemma
In Newcastle, the Greens are positioning themselves as the party to keep Reform out, a message also echoed by Labour. This creates a dilemma for left-leaning voters opposed to Reform. Maureen Gilmore, a 77-year-old retired probation officer and Labour member, expressed her concerns during a doorstep conversation with Driscoll. She said, "I'm very worried about Reform. I mean, I don't think they'll ever get into power, but they could do damage." After learning it was "Green v Reform" in her area, she pledged her vote to Driscoll, who argued that Labour had deserted its supporters.
Driscoll's Political Journey and Green Party Hopes
Driscoll joined Labour at age 15 in 1985 and served as North of Tyne mayor for five years. He was blocked from being Labour's candidate for the North East mayoralty, reportedly due to sharing a platform with film director Ken Loach, leading him to quit the party. He ran as an independent in the 2024 mayoral election, securing 28% of the vote but losing to Labour's Kim McGuinness. After brief involvement with movements like Majority and Your Party, he joined the Greens in December last year, citing the party's rise and need to prove its governance capabilities.
Driscoll believes the UK is "incredibly unstable" with an economic system failing most people, and he views Labour as "mortally wounded" while Reform's growth is unsustainable. A Labour spokesperson dismissed him as a "political liability," but Driscoll insists he holds no grudges, noting, "It's nice to walk into a room and not worry about who's going to stab you in the back."
Campaign Dynamics and Voter Responses
On the leafier streets of Newcastle, campaigners encountered varied responses. One young woman and her pomeranian, Teddy, pledged Green votes, while a middle-aged man was undecided between the Lib Dems and Greens, citing defence as a key issue. Driscoll, whose family has military ties, argued that modern warfare has changed and the defence system serves contractors over personnel. Only one resident expressed support for Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party, claiming Reform was "too leftwing."
As the wind died down and sun emerged, the Greens remain optimistic about their chances in the 7 May elections, vying with Labour and the Liberal Democrats for the anti-Reform vote in a council with a minority Labour-led administration.
