A FLEDGLING political party has won its second council seat in a matter of months.

The North East Party, formed just six months ago, last night won its second seat on Peterlee Town Council in two months.

Newly-elected councillor Karen Hawley comfortably won the Passfield Ward by-election with 429 votes, ahead of Labour on 257.

Cllr Hawley said: “I am delighted to have been elected tonight and to be joining North East Party colleagues in working to ensure that Peterlee Town Council serves the people of Passfield ward and the people of the town accountably and well”.

The by-election, brought about by the resignation of Peterlee’s mayoress Cllr Margaret Milsom who held the seat for Labour, follows the North East Party’s victory at the Eden Hill ward by-election in December.

It means the party now holds two seats alongside six Independents on the 22-member authority, which remains in Labour control.

Susan McDonnell, the North East Party’s Parliamentary candidate for Easington, said: “This is another resounding victory for the North East Party in Peterlee, building on our first success only two months ago.

“Karen works very hard and will represent her constituents very well.

“Her win tonight shows that our messages about scandalous Council Tax levels and the need for much greater community accountability of all elected politicians is really getting through.”