Hartlepool Labour Councillor Resigns...
- teessidetoday
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Labour councillor, who was one of the towns youngest elected members has quietly announced he's standing down, triggering a May By-election...
20th March 2025
A Hartlepool Councillor, who'd clocked up a less than impressive 50% attendance record with the local council has stood down from the role triggering a By-election that's set to be held in just weeks.
Labour Councillor Cameron Sharp announced his resignation from Hartlepool Borough Council this week, leaving his seat in the towns Throston Ward immediately vacant. The exact reasons behind his departure HBC Exposed understands remain unclear, however– his decision to stand down has reportedly set the stage for an unexpected by-election which is reportedly set to occur in May & could reshape the political landscape in Hartlepool, causing a major political upset for the Labour Party.
HBC Exposed also understands. his official details have now been removed from Hartlepool Borough Councils website...
Sharp, who was elected in 2022 following the resignation of Labour Councillor Amy Prince, made history as Hartlepool’s youngest-ever elected councillor. However, despite his early promises, concerns were said to have been raised over his commitment to the role, with reports indicating that he attended just half of his required council meetings.
His resignation reportedly now triggers a by-election expected to coincide with the wider local elections scheduled for May 1, 2025, with Hartlepool not set to see any 'all out' council elections until 2026...
His decision to stand down couldn't have come at a worst time for Labour !
The timing of a by-election could not be more crucial for Labours foes Reform UK, but is said to have come as a 'nightmare' for the local Hartlepool Labour Group, who've seen their support in the town plummet in recent months.
Whilst no local elections were originally planned for Hartlepool until 2026, this sudden vacancy now throws the town’s political future into question, as its claimed the contest for the Throston Ward Council seat is expected to be fiercely contested, especially with Reform UK gaining traction in the region & speculation mounting that Reform could be set to make a significant election breakthrough, not just in Hartlepool, but also in nearby Durham County Council, where they've already been tipped as the favourites to demolish Labours stronghold on the local council, giving Reform UK control of its first county council.
The development could also have major implications for Hartlepool’s political balance. Labour has traditionally held strong influence in the town, up until a few years ago, when the Conservatives showed that Labours infamous 'red wall' was especially vulnerable, but with rising discontent over local governance and national party policies such as controversial welfare cuts & cuts to winter fuel payments, the opposition parties, particularly Reform UK and the Conservatives, will see this as an opportunity to capitalise on voter frustration, with all eyes likely to be on Hartlepool's to see if Reform can finally achieve a much needed council seat in Hartlepool, & whether any further resignations are to come !
Will Labour retain its grip on the seat, or will Reform UK bag its first council seat in Hartlepool?
Hartlepool’s political scene just become a whole lot more interesting.
How would you vote ?
If local elections were to be held in Hartlepool this year, what political party would you vote for ?
LABOUR
CONSERVATIVES
REFORM UK
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
