Party drops Leader

Mar 10 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
THE leader of Northumberland County Council will not be elected to the new unitary council after his party opted for a different candidate to contest his ward.
Peter Hillman will not stand for Labour in the Holywell ward of the unitary authority after the party selected Blyth Valley councillor Bernard Pidcock to contest the seat.
Blyth Valley constituency Labour Party chairman Dave Stephens said the vote to select the candidate had been very close. He said: “They were both excellent candidates and Peter Hillman hasn’t been deselected.
“It was a surprise, but having said that, it is understandable because Bernard Pidcock has been an excellent councillor for more than 12 years and is very well respected.”
Coun Hillman said he was surprised. It means two of the driving forces behind the creation of the new council will not be on it.
Former county leader Bill Brooks failed to win a nomination to contest his Blyth Newsham ward in May.