Easington: Long-serving Labour man ousted

1:06am Friday 2nd May 2008

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WHILE the Labour Party was clearly relieved at securing 19 of the 24 seats in the Easington constituency there were some notable casualties.

In the Peterlee West Ward David Taylor-Gooby, on the eve of being awarded a 20-year-long milestone award for services to the Labour Party lost his seat along with second labour candidate Geoff Pinkney.

Both were beaten by Lib Deb candidates Ralp Liddle who topped the poll and Barbara Ann Sloan.

Clearly disappointed at losing his seat Mr Taylor Gooby said: "When the Labour Government actively promotes inequality it suffers the consequences.'' In the Wingate Ward Independent Joan Maslin secured the highest number of votes with the current County Councillor Len O'Donnell (Lab) winning the second seat.

Long serving Easington District councillor and Independent Brian Wilson also ousted a Labour candidate Terry Unsworth at Thornley with Labour's Morris Nicholls holding the second seat.

In another disappointing result for Labour Ed Mason was beaten by Independent Bob Arthur who topped the poll for the Dawdon Ward with former Mayor of Seaham Charlie Walker gaining the remaining seat for Labour.

For the Tories it was a bleak night in the Easington constituency with all three of the candidates being beaten by Labour Party nominees.

At Horden Mona Riley came bottom of the poll with 335 votes against top of the poll Paul Stradling who won 1,442 votes.

In Seaham were the Conservative candidates were banking on the backing of new residents at the up market Shore Village development both Tories, Derick Dixon and Margaret Reid lost to Labour Party candidates Dan Myers and Geraldine Bleasdale.