Austen Shakespeare

With a count soon allegedly, there is still no sign of Independent candidate Martin Uren.

Candidates and agents are being called to examine at doubtful ballots.

Noises on the ground at the North Tyneside count are predicting a narrow gap between Labour and Reform UK, with around half of the teams completed counting.

Alan Campbell MP said: “Clearly here we are now in a multi-party elections. It will be interesting to see how that pans out. “The main thing from the Labour point of view is we retain the Mayor because Dame Norma has been a fantastic mayor and Karen is a fantastic candidate”.

All teams in North Tyneside are now counting it has been announced. Verified votes: 48,827 Turnout: 31%

Labour’s Karen Clark said: “We have done everything we do, the work has been done and we are waiting on the results.” Councillor Clark went on to say they’ve had positive feedback during this the campaign. Clark is also the bookies’ favourite to win.

As some counting begins, Green candidate Chloe-Louise Reilly said: “I stood in this election as a real alternative. The major parties are failing people and the Greens are offering hope and change.” https://t.co/vnf2ywddRw

Just been informed that some teams have began counting the votes for the North Tyneside Mayoral! https://t.co/IEq5EpS7Gm

The Community Independent team with their candidate Cath Davis (centre) https://t.co/JolBKBw69h

Conservative candidate councillor Liam Bones said: “We have fought a positive campaign on the local issues facing residents in North Tyneside. Feedback on the door has been incredibly positive”.

Reform UK’s John Falkenstein has told the local democracy reporting service he is “fairly confident” of victory this evening, stating the support for Labour hasn’t been there on the doorsteps locally.

Lib Dem candidate John Appleby has predicted a fall in the Labour vote this time round, reflecting a national fall in popularity, though admits it would be a “political earthquake” for a Lib Dem triumph this evening.

Outgoing three-time elected Mayor Dame Redfearn, on the residents of North Tyneside, said: “I think they have been really supportive to us and particularly helpful and supportive to get things going.” “What is important to them is important to us and we have delivered”

Cath Davis, the Community Independent candidate, said: “We have given people a choice. We have had really positive comments that we are standing and people are really fed up with the big parties and want something different.”

10pm has now passed and the verification of votes for the North Tyneside Mayoral Election had begun! The count will start once verification has been completed. This year’s Mayoral count is taking place at the Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields. https://t.co/ILLspNeTri