THE Labour Group in Redcar and Cleveland have last night selected their new leader after Councillor Sue Jeffery stepped down following last week’s local elections.

Cllr Jeffery made the decision ahead of the Labour group’s annual general meeting last night when a new leader was due to be selected.

The Labour group have chosen Councillor Carl Quartermain as their new leader for Redcar and Cleveland with Councillor Alec Brown to stand as deputy.

Following the decision, Cllr Quatermain said: “I am extremely proud to have been selected as the new leader of the Labour Group in Redcar and Cleveland.

“I will do my best to pick up the pieces of the last election which I believe was largely a vote of dissatisfaction of national politics and not a rejection of the work we have achieved locally over the past four years.

“We will rebuild at grassroots and focus on our home. Our services matter, our environment matters, our economy matters and this will be our focus going forward.”

Cllr Alec Brown said: “The last few days have been difficult for myself and colleagues in the Labour Group. Some really talented individuals lost out in the local elections due to national issues beyond their control.

“Carl will be a great Leader and along with myself as the Deputy Leader, we have a very strong vibrant new team that will have nothing but the area we all love as its agenda.

“I’m so excited to be part of this exciting team with its fresh approach. All the new members will be fantastic - of this I am sure.”

Labour MP for Redcar Anna Turley said: “I’d like to congratulate Carl on his election as the new leader of the Labour Group of Redcar & Cleveland. Carl is a fantastic community campaigner who understands the importance of local grassroots activism.

“He will do a great job holding the new administration to account on behalf of local people and putting into practice our values of fairness and of caring for our borough and our people.”