Josephine Mudzingwa, the North Shields councillor who became North Tyneside's first black councillor in 2022, has left the council's ruling Labour group with immediate effect. She will now serve as an independent, saying she has been "completely unsupported" by the group.
Coun Mudzingwa said she was leaving to protect her mental health and criticised some former Labour colleagues who she claimed "do not turn up or just warm seats." However, she said she was not resigning from the Labour Party itself and wished to remain a member.
Second Labour councillor to quit this week
The move follows another Labour councillor, Tom Bailey, who quit the party earlier this week amid a row over Tyneside's nurdle spill crisis. Bailey had previously been suspended after allegedly posting an image of a placard showing him holding what appeared to be a firearm in a WhatsApp group for volunteers clearing up the plastic pellets from beaches.
In a letter published online, Coun Mudzingwa highlighted her role fighting the ongoing nurdle disaster.
She wrote: "The biggest part of my work has been the nurdles environmental crisis. For months, I have worked flat out, twice a day, going to Fish Quay at 6am, to Dolphin Mews, the Marina and other beaches to inspect, direct volunteers on what to do, check equipment at the station, report tide times and relay information to the council."
"I have spent hours tidying the station, encouraging volunteers and keeping morale high. This work was done out of love for our coastline and community."
Selection disappointment
Coun Mudzingwa said she had been "helping my community, not defying my party" during an interview with the BBC regarding the nurdle spill.
She said: "Since being elected in 2022, I have given my all, while others do not turn up or just warm seats."
She added: "To guard my mental health and prevent recent misdemeanours from escalating, I am stepping away from the Group."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Coun Mudzingwa was not taken forward in the process for selecting Labour candidates for the ward of North Shields for the next local elections in 2027. In response, she said she was "completely disappointed" and called the decision "absolutely disgusting."
A Labour Group source said: "Councillor Josephine Mudzingwa has indicated that she no longer intends to take the Labour whip. Labour’s rules are clear that a councillor cannot voluntarily sit outside the official Labour Group while remaining a party member. The proper Party process will now be followed."
