Call for Chester-le-Street by-election over new Reform member
Cllr Paul Sexton’s decision to join the party in control of the council has caused outrage among political rivals and residents in the Chester-le-Street South ward where he was elected.
County Durham Labour is urging aggrieved residents to back its bid to call for the immediate resignation of Cllr Sexton and for a by-election to be arranged, where voters can reselect which party will represent them in County Hall, adding: “People who voted Independent have been misled.”
Cllr Sexton, who has served on the council since 2017 as a long-time independent, was re-elected on May 2. But instead of sitting in opposition, he will work alongside the party’s 64 other councillors in overall control of the local authority.
Speaking after switching allegiances, Cllr Sexton said: “Reform has a huge mandate to effect the much-needed change in County Hall and I have the experience to support this initiative. Chester-le-Street needs a voice on the inside if we’re to achieve the much-needed investment that our fabulous town deserves.”
But Julie Scurfield, leading the petition and former councillor for Chester-le-Street North ward, said: “I don’t believe this is what the people of Chester-le-Street voted for – they voted overwhelmingly to reject Reform, with only one of the four available seats in our town going to them.”
The Labour member came third at the local poll, losing out to colleague Tracie Smith and Reform leader Andrew Husband.
She added: “I am challenging Paul to do the honourable thing – stand down now and stand on a Reform ticket in a by-election to allow the residents of Chester-le-Street to have a genuine choice of who they want to represent them on local issues.
“If you live in Chester-le-Street and want a genuine choice, then I urge you to sign this petition.”
The controversial move across the council chamber was also criticised by the Liberal Democrats, the main party in opposition. North Lodge member Craig Martin said: “Cllr Sexton stood and was elected on a clear mandate, being against Reform. Those that voted for Cllr Sexton and feel misled, deserve an apology.”
“We await to see what paid position Reform has offered the former independent to convince him to cross the floor, days after being elected. Cllr Sexton should set out to Chester-le-Street, what conversations they have had with Reform and whether they took place before the election.”
Yet, Cllr Sexton’s commitment to the North Durham town was praised by Bill Moist, an Independent colleague in Chester-le-Street South.
He said: “I am disappointed the Labour Party have stooped to this level of post, sour grapes? Paul has worked tirelessly for eight years on our ward delivering many improvements and as a result he received the largest number of votes for him personally. The Labour Party could not even provide realistic candidates to contest the election.
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“There are now only four Labour councillors in all of County Durham. I think the Labour Party have more important issues to worry about than one Independent councillor deciding he believes he can deliver even more improvements and investment for our area and town, if he supports the new majority party in County Durham.
“I will continue to support and work with Paul to deliver even more projects and improvements for our ward and our town. We will also work with the one remaining Labour councillor in Chester-le-Street as we believe we all need to work together for the good of Chester-le-Street.
“It’s still about people not politics. But we live and operate in a political world.”