Spennymoor councillor, Ian Geldard, has announced he is to return to the Labour party.
Cllr Geldard returns having just finished his annual term as Spennymoor Town Council Mayor, using his final civic speech in the role to announce his decision to rejoin Labour.
The move has been welcomed by county party leadership as it formulates plans for next year’s local elections and campaigns in one of the most important general elections in modern history.
Cllr Geldard said:
“Labour has always remained close to my heart throughout my time outside the party, which I left reluctantly four years ago. But it now feels like it has regained the unity that made it so special and from Whitehall to our Town Hall, there is strong and passionate leadership and opportunity to do a great deal of good.
“We have Kier Starmer bidding to be the next Prime Minister, Kim McGuinness securing the vote for North East Mayor and strong county leadership from Carl Marshall – and when you combine all that, we can accomplish great things for the people in the communities we represent.
“I’m so happy to rejoin the party I was so proud to represent in the past and very much look forward to a much brighter future under a Labour Government and Labour Councils.”
County Durham Labour Leader, Cllr Carl Marshall, said he was delighted to welcome his friend Ian back into the party and how optimistic he felt seeing members frustrated or marginalised in the past returning to Labour.
“Ian and I served together as young and passionate County Councillors and I very much welcome his return to the party,” said Cllr Marshall. “He is a fantastic champion for Tudhoe and Spennymoor and a councillor completely dedicated to the people he serves.
“Under Kier Starmer, Labour has changed immeasurably and the party’s message of hope, unity and progress is one that is cutting through and something the entire UK can get behind.”
Cllr Geldard has lived in in Spennymoor all his life, attending King Street Primary School and then Tudhoe Grange before going to Durham Sixth Form Centre and finally studying for a degree in Computing at Durham University. He is Managing Director of Spennymoor Town Football Club, having previously served as Community Impact Manager for the club Chairman’s group of businesses.
Cllr Geldard is also Life President of Spennymoor Cricket Club for his tireless volunteer work, as well as a trustee of Tudhoe Community Centre and a Committee Member of Spennymoor Youth and Community Centre.