Conservatives win mayoral ballot

Victorious Mrs Arkley is predicting an early general election

North Tyneside Council has a new mayor after the Conservatives defeated Labour in the local elections.

Linda Arkley returns to the job she held for two years until 2005 after pipping incumbent John Harrison.

Mrs Arkley was elected on the second count after a run-off against Mr Harrison. She said she was "thrilled."

She also said it was a historic day as the Conservatives took control of the council for the first time since it was established in 1974.

She said: "I was absolutely thrilled when David Cameron came to North Tyneside to launch the local government campaign.

"I will work extremely hard for everybody in North Tyneside, regardless of how they voted."

She said the public had spoken out over the crisis in the political system and politicians now had to listen.

"I have no doubt that the next thing we will be having will be a General Election," she added.

There was a field of six candidates, four of whom were eliminated in the first count.

Second preferences were then distributed in the final round and Mrs Arkley won with a majority of 4,449.

Last year the Conservatives became the largest party on the council with 31 seats, to Labour's 21 and eight for the Lib Dems.

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