Councillors line up for leadership challenge
8:03pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
THE new leader of the region's biggest local authority will be chosen from three Labour councillors.
Former miner Albert Nugent, who has held the post on Durham County Council since a backbench revolt in 2006 over proposed care home closures, faces a challenge from an academic and a long-serving council officer who championed Tony Blair.
But neither Alan Napier, leader of Easington District Council, who was regarded as the "heir apparent", nor current county council deputy leader Clive Robson are standing for the leadership.
Labour emerged from Thursday's elections - the county council will metamamorphose into a unitary, all-purpose council next year when six district councils are abolished - with a majority of eight seats.
Coun Nugent, from Seaham, who survived a confidence vote and hit out at opponents of his leadership within the Labour group at a recent cabinet meeting, is up against Couns Peter Brookes and Simon Henig.
The 67 members of the new Labour group will vote on Saturday for the man they want to lead them into the transition to unitary government.
Coun Nugent, who represents the Deneside division, said: "I said I would stand from the word go. I believe my long experience with the authority and in the interest of continuity and unity I will be the best man for the job."
Peter Brookes, the county council's former head of community services who retired last year, won Trimdon division in Sedgefield. He was one of the "famous five" who helped Tony Blair secure the nomination for the Sedgefield constituency seat in 1983.
Coun Brookes, a member of Trimdon Parish Council, said: "A few people were asking me to consider it (the leadership). I think they thought I had the qualities, skills and experience at county level.
"Some people think we need a clean break and new start. I think that given the reduced majority the party has we need to create unity among the Labour group and set out a vision. And use all the talents available to take forward the challenge of the new unitary authority."
Coun Henig, has been a Chester-le-Street District councillor since 1999 and deputy leader since 2003. He is a senior lecturer in politics at Sunderland University and has written several books on the subject.
Coun Henig said Labour faced a new outlook after the successes of other parties in the elections.
He added: "The Labour Party has to go forward in a united manner because there is real opposition now.
"This image of County Durham being a totally Labour-dominated area isn't the case any more - although there are certain areas where it still is true - but it is a rapidly changing county."