New council leader calls for unity

After a long period of infighting, accusations and resignations, Newcastle City Council’s new Labour leader calls for unity from her party.

Transcript

00:00The new leader of Newcastle City Council, Karen Kilgour, has asked the city's Labour

00:05Party to unite behind her, after a sustained period of infighting, accusations and resignations.

00:11Councillor Kilgour of Fordham in Newcastle is the first woman leader in the history of

00:15the city's council, and has called on her colleagues to unify with a collective purpose

00:19and desire to help the city's residents.

00:21She's looking to put the recent scandals firmly in the rearview mirror, although critics have

00:25pointed out that, as deputy for Nick Kemp, the previous city council leader, for over

00:28two years, this association could be a negative for some.

00:32Ms Kilgour previously looked after health and social care issues for the city's cabinet,

00:36and the councillor who represents the city's West Fenham ward states that she challenged

00:40the previous regime when she needed to, but always in a professional manner.

00:44When quizzed over how the council would ensure transparency in the investigation of the complaint

00:48against their predecessor, Ms Kilgour advised that she was unable to comment as she does

00:52not want to interfere in the process.

00:55Supporters hope that Ms Kilgour's unified approach will be a breath of fresh air for

00:58all in the council.