Prospective Westminster Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle upon Tyne North
The Local Party Executives of Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside Liberal Democrats invite applications for the selection of a Prospective Westminster Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency of Newcastle upon Tyne North. Applications must be received by the Returning Officer no later than 12 noon on 6th November 2026.
Newcastle upon Tyne North is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious candidate. Following the May 2026 local elections, the Liberal Democrats became the largest party on Newcastle City Council and now lead the council, ending 15 years of Labour control. The constituency covers parts of Newcastle and North Tyneside, and the Liberal Democrats have strong local campaign teams on the ground in both. With the political landscape across Tyneside changing fast, this is a seat where a hardworking candidate can build on real local momentum.
We are particularly looking for a candidate who can help us build a more diverse team, especially among younger people and women, support our campaigns in the battleground wards for Newcastle City Council, and strengthen our social media presence.
The constituency, which covers the north of the city, and stretches from the early 1900s housing in the south in Jesmond, through mid century housing of High Heaton, Longbenton and Gosforth, 60s-80s housing in Kingston Park, to the more recent modern estates in Great Park and villages, where the city reaches the countryside.
80% of the ward is within the Newcastle City council boundaries where the Liberal Democrats took minority control of the council in May this year, just ahead of Reform and the Green Party, with a collapsing Labour party.
The remaining 20% sits within North Tyneside, where there has not been significant Lib Dem presence in recent years, although there have been a starting attempts in the Longbenton and Benton ward in the last 2 elections.
Although the party controlled Newcastle City Council until 2011, and secured a strong second place with 33% in the 2010 General Election (Labour majority 3414), the party fell back badly in 2015 (9.7%), 2017 (5.2%), 2019 (9.3) and 2024 (12.2). The constituency has been represented since 2010 by Labour minister Catherine McKinnell MP, who is well known in the constituency.
The constituency in general contains the more affluent parts of Newcastle, although there is some social housing in Kenton. Some wards have conservation areas and some of the most expensive housing in the city. Other areas are given to semi-detached suburbs, turn of the century terraces, and some estates of pre- and post-war social housing. The constituency includes several golf courses, the large green wooded valley of Jesmond Dene, and Gosforth Park which contains parkland and a racecourse.
Public sector employment dominates the constituency (the two universities, the Freeman Hospital, and the DWP complex at Longbenton). The Jesmond ward and Ouseburn wards have significant student populations.
The area includes major roads giving access to the main Coast Road and the A1 motorway and includes several stations on the Metro transport system. There are a number of local retail areas including Acorn Road (Jesmond), Kingston Park shopping area and Gosforth High Street.
Priority issues across the constituency vary from ward to ward but include:
- Environmental issues including street cleaning, fly tipping and recycling
- Planning issues (and adoption of new estates by the council) and regeneration of older suburbs
- Issues with roads and potholes and balancing the development of active travel with other users
To apply, please use the provided online links to fill out the Candidate Application Form as well as the Candidate Statement & Diversity Form.
Separately, please email the following documents to the Returning Officer:
- Election Artwork: This should be a political CV or manifesto, limited to a single side of A4 in PDF format which is maximum 2 MB in size. This document will be included in the e-ballot and posted member mailing.
Returning Officer: Neil Salvesen, candidates@libdems.org.uk
Applicants are responsible for ensuring their submission is confirmed as received by the Returning Officer prior to the closing time of 12 noon on 6th November 2026.
Further information regarding the Local Parties can be obtained by contacting Mark Ridyard, markridyardld@gmail.com.
Relevant documentation: