The Darlington Labour party has become the largest party on the borough council after the Conservatives suffered heavy losses in several wards across the town. 

Up to 24 Labour councillors were elected on Friday - a significant improvement on their result in 2019 when they lost out to their arch rivals for the first time in over 40 years winning 19 seats. However, the political tide has changed once again in Darlington with just 15 Conservative councillors on the council, down from 22 in 2019. 

While overturning previously Conservative-held seats, Labour also defeated two former Independent candidates to increase its control. Wins in Eastbourne and Bank Top and Lascelles (helped increase the party’s majority over their rivals. Conservative cabinet members Mike Renton (Stephenson) and Jon Clarke (Harrowgate Hill) have all been voted out. 

David Beckett was elected as a Labour councillor in the Brinkburn and Faverdale ward, where the party gained two seats on the Conservatives, however he was recently suspended following comments made about the royal family on social media. It is believed the decision came too late for him to be removed from the ballot paper. 

Reflecting on the result, Cllr Harker said: “It’s a great day for the Labour Party in Darlington. There’s a huge amount of work that needs doing, and I’m grateful people have put their faith in us. Working with residents, businesses and communities, there’s an enormous task ahead of us but we’re raring to go to make the lives of people better in the future. 

“The real message is quite clear, people in Darlington have lost trust in the Conservatives. They’ve placed their trust in us, and they’re clearly thinking we can do a better job.”

Also celebrating after significant wins was the Green Party, which extended its control on the council from two councillors to seven. There was shock throughout the counting hall as it was announced they won all three seats in the Harrowgate Hill ward - a key target for members. Richard Lawley, Roz Henderson and Anna-Maria-Toms are elected.

Party leader Matthew Snedker labelled it an “absolutely fantastic result”. He added: “To have this amount of confidence put in us by the public is great. 

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The Liberal Democrats retained their three seats in the North Road ward. 

Overall, Labour didn’t lose any seats it held in the run up to the election unlike the Conservatives. Conservative leader cllr Jonathan Dulstion, who held onto his seat in Eastbourne, believes national issues, such as the cost of living crisis, affected his party’s performance on the doorstep. 

The Northern Echo: The Darlington Conservative Party lost out to Labour in several wards across the townThe Darlington Conservative Party lost out to Labour in several wards across the town (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

“It’s been really disappointing, it’s not the result we anticipated,” he said. “People could see the council had changed, sadly it is in the backdrop of national issues which we haven’t got a grip of yet.”