Labour Party Stalwart Bill Garrett is standing as a independent against Tony Reid

Published on 04/04/2008 TYNEDALE Council leader Michael Walton has sprung a huge political surprise, by opting to stand against an official Conservative candidate in elections for the new Northumberland unitary authority.Coun. Walton, who previously stated he would not seek a Conservative nomination for the new council, will stand in the Bellingham ward, against Tory county councillor John Riddle on May 1.Another surprise is the line-up for the Prudhoe East ward. Labour Party stalwart Bill Garrett, a councillor on Tynedale District Council since its creation in 1974, is standing as an independent. He is taking on former party colleague Tony Reid, current deputy leader of the county council, in what is usually regarded as a safe Labour seat.Of the 13 seats to be fought in Tynedale, six are being contested by sitting district or county councillors standing as independents against official party candidates.In addition to Coun. Walton and Coun.Garrett, flying the independent flag will be Paul Kelly in Bywell, Alex Kerr in Humshaugh, Bill Purdue in South Tynedale, and Ray Thompson in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh He is taking on former party colleague Tony Reid, current deputy leader of the county council, in what is usually regarded as a safe Labour seat.Of the 13 seats to be fought in Tynedale, six are being contested by sitting district or county councillors standing as independents against official party candidates.In addition to Coun. Walton and Coun.Garrett, flying the independent flag will be Paul Kelly in Bywell, Alex Kerr in Humshaugh, Bill Purdue in South Tynedale, and Ray Thompson in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh