Local Election Results 2026: What Changed in Tynemouth
Conservative Jay Bartoli held Tynemouth ward while Reform UK surged across North Tyneside, winning ten seats and becoming the council's official opposition.
Voters across North Tyneside went to the polls on Thursday 7 May 2026 to elect one councillor in each of the borough's 20 wards. The results brought significant change to the make-up of North Tyneside Council, even though Labour held on to overall control. Here is what happened, and what it means for Tynemouth.
Tynemouth Ward
Four candidates stood in Tynemouth ward. Conservative Jay Bartoli won the seat with 1,680 votes (38.8 per cent), ahead of Labour Co-operative candidate Julie Day on 1,312 votes (30.3 per cent), Green Party candidate Simon Richard Smithson on 690 votes (16.0 per cent), and Reform UK candidate Steve May on 644 votes (14.9 per cent).
The result means the Conservatives retained their hold on the Tynemouth ward seat that was up for election, in a contest where the vote was split four ways. The Green Party's 16 per cent share was a notable showing in a ward where the party has not traditionally been a major factor.
The Bigger Picture Across North Tyneside
The headline story across the borough was the surge of Reform UK. Of the 20 seats contested, Reform won ten -- all gains from Labour. Labour held just five of the 17 seats it was defending, while the Conservatives retained their three seats, the Green Party won one, and an independent candidate took another.
Three Labour cabinet members lost their seats, dealing a blow to the ruling administration. The new council composition stands at Labour 38, Reform UK 11, Conservative 8, Green 2, and Independent 1. Labour retains a working majority on the 60-seat council, but Reform UK has replaced the Conservatives as the official opposition.
Reform's strongest performances came in wards such as Battle Hill, Camperdown, Chirton and Percy Main, Howdon, Killingworth, Shiremoor, Wallsend Central, Wallsend North, and Weetslade. The Green Party picked up seats in North Shields and Whitley Bay North.
No Mayoral Election This Year
North Tyneside's directly elected mayor, Karen Clark (Labour), was not up for re-election in 2026. She was elected in May 2025, succeeding Dame Norma Redfearn, and her term runs until 2029. The mayor sets the strategic direction for the council and appoints the cabinet, so the loss of three cabinet members may prompt a reshuffle.
What It Means for Tynemouth
For residents of Tynemouth ward specifically, the day-to-day impact is limited. The ward continues to be represented by three councillors, and the seat contested this year stayed Conservative. Council services such as waste collection, planning, parking, and beach management remain under Labour's overall control.
The more significant change is at the borough level. With Reform UK now forming the official opposition and Labour's majority reduced, council debates and scrutiny committees are likely to see a more vocal challenge to the administration's decisions on housing, transport, and spending priorities. Residents who want to follow these debates can find agendas and minutes on the council's democracy pages at democracy.northtyneside.gov.uk.
The next round of local elections in North Tyneside is expected in May 2027, when a different third of the council's seats will be contested.
Best for: You can find your ward councillors and their contact details on the North Tyneside Council website at my.northtyneside.gov.uk.