Former Labour North of Tyne Metro Mayor Jamie Driscoll Joins Green Party
Jamie Driscoll, the former Labour North of Tyne metro mayor (2019–2024) and former Newcastle councillor, has joined the Green Party. Driscoll left Labour in 2023 after being blocked from standing again, later running as an independent and finishing second to Labour’s Kim McGuinness. Previously, he helped establish Your Party alongside Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana but exited the project due to internal disputes.
The Greens officially announced his joining in Newcastle, a key target area for the upcoming May local elections in 2026. Driscoll cited the Greens as a party serious about long-term governance and criticised the current political and economic situation in Britain. His defection follows a recent wave of Green gains, coming just two days after five Labour councillors in Brent defected to the Greens.
Since Zack Polanski became leader in September, the Greens have reported a surge in membership and polling. On Newcastle city council, the Greens currently hold four seats compared to Labour's 29.
