Amid an ongoing party rift, Mr Forbes' deselection comes as a crushing blow to his political career. The former councillor, who has been the Labour leader in Newcastle since 2007, will be replaced by Abdul Samad – a labour campaigner and activist in the West End of the city. Mr Forbes, who was Newcastle’s first openly gay council leader, gave the following farewell statements: “Exiting Newcastle politics like this brings me mixed emotions and a heavy heart. I am disappointed that I will no longer be a voice for Newcastle at regional and national levels or be able to represent the city directly to government, but I am immensely proud of having been the first LGBT leader of this council - and its second longest serving leader. Above all, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served my city, the wider local government family and the Labour Party. This I have done to the best of my abilities"
Mr Forbes' deselection comes as a crushing blow to his political career
Whilst Mr Forbes has already congratulated Mr Samad, he has stated that this was a political attack from his fellow party members on the left.
“I was ambushed on the night at the meeting - I didn't know I was going to have a contested selection," he remarked. "Ultimately I was a target because I'm seen as quite close to Keir Starmer" he added.
Forbes finished his comments on the matter with the following: “I think it's better to accept the damage to my political reputation and not damage the reputation of the city by prolonging my time in office unnecessarily" .
Whilst those in the Labour party denied his allegations it is indicative of the growing tensions in the party, now with a senior Labour councillor leaving his post, the party has one again been thrown into disarray. Another mess in the long line of the Starmer-era. Mr Forbes will carry on with his post until the end of his term, after that? Political retirement.