By-Election Looms as Councillor Cameron Sharp Steps Down Amidst Questions over his Departure...
- HBC Exposed
- Mar 21
- 5 min read
Supporters of the now former Labour Councillor & one of the towns youngest elected members claim he stood down to ensure his concentration was on his day job, others claim his departure is for very different reasons....
21st March 2025
Hartlepool wasn't set to see any local elections taking place this year & it was all expected to be 'fairly quiet'. That was however, until a surprising turn of events took place this week, when Hartlepool Labour Councillor Cameron Sharp quietly announced his resignation from his role representing Hartlepool's Throston ward, paving the way for a potential by-election to occur in May 2025.
Sharp, who made history as Hartlepool’s youngest Labour councillor when elected in a 2022 by-election at the age of 22, is said to leave behind a legacy of youthful enthusiasm and community spirit. However, in reality, his tenure was 'uninspiring', disappointing many claim & his attendance record at local council meetings was to say the least 'less than impressive'. His departure however has sparked intense speculation about the reasons behind the move, with rumours pointing to internal strife within the Hartlepool Labour Group, as well as broader disillusionment with the national Labour Party’s direction.
A Rising Star’s Exit
Cameron Sharp’s journey in local politics, whilst seemingly unimpressive to critics was to others, nothing short of inspiring. A history teacher by day and a passionate Hartlepool United supporter, he won over Throston residents with his energy and commitment to public service. His victory in the October 2022 by-election, where he secured 450 votes to retain the seat for Labour following the resignation of Labour Councillor Amy Prince, was celebrated as a triumph for a new generation of local councillors.
In a heartfelt letter published shortly after his election win, Sharp spoke of his pride in representing his home ward and his desire to repay the trust of his constituents.
Yet, less than three years later, Sharp chose to step away. Whilst he's not publicly detailed his reasons, whispers in Hartlepool’s political circles suggest a growing rift with the Hartlepool Labour Group, which currently holds the reins of Hartlepool Borough Council. The Labour Party regained its position as the council’s largest party in the 2023 local elections, securing 18 of 36 seats—just one shy of an overall majority and then gaining full control of the local council in the 2024 local council elections. But beneath this apparent success, its claimed tensions are simmering under the surface.
Internal Conflicts and Policy Discontent
Sharp's dislike of the Conservatives can be traced right back to 2010, with Sharpe being at the right age to have borne witness to the Conservatives savage cuts to welfare, education, & policing. His strong political stance against the conservatives is all documented on his social media page as reasons why locals should be behind The Labour Party to bring about real change, This in turn cements the rumours going around that Sharp’s exit as a local Labour Councillor stems from possible clashes with fellow Labour councillors over local governance and priorities. The Hartlepool Labour Group’s hold on power, whilst strong, was largely cemented on national disillusionment with the Conservatives themselves & their cuts to services & spending, its claimed recent moves by the national Labour Government over cuts to winter fuel payments & welfare spending may have exacerbated these tensions. Sharp, once a vocal advocate for community-driven change, might have found himself at odds with a party machinery seemingly focused on consolidating power rather than through pushing bold reforms & protecting the vulnerable..
On a national level, Sharp’s 'disillusionment' reportedly mirrors a wider unease within Labour’s ranks. The party, now in government following the 2024 general election, has faced significant criticism for controversial policy moves & have been described by many as 'Tories in disguise'.
The decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners—a lifeline for many in towns like Hartlepool—has drawn ire from traditional Labour supporters. More recently, proposals to reduce payments to disabled people have fuelled claims that Labour is literally picking up where David Cameron’s Conservative austerity agenda left off in 2010. For a young councillor like Sharp, who entered politics with a passion for public service, these shifts may have felt like a betrayal of the values he once championed.
Reform UK’s Opportunity?
Hartlepool’s political landscape has been shifting for years. Once a Labour stronghold, the town saw the Conservatives claim the parliamentary seat in a seismic 2021 by-election, signalling a crack in the so-called “Red Wall.” Whilst Labour has clawed back some ground locally, the party’s internal divisions and unpopular national policies has opened the door for challengers. Enter Reform UK, the populist party that has been steadily building support in northern towns disillusioned with the mainstream & is even quietly tipped to take full control of Durham County Council in this years local elections....
Reform UK fielded 10 candidates in Hartlepool’s 2023 local elections but failed to secure a seat. However, with a potential by-election now on the horizon in Throston—a ward with a mix of deprivation and prosperity—the party may sense an opportunity. Sharp’s departure, coupled with Labour’s local and national struggles, could provide fertile ground for Reform UK to make inroads. Their messaging, likely centered on anti-establishment sentiment and promises to protect vulnerable residents, might resonate in a town weary of political infighting and austerity.
What’s Next for Throston?
The upcoming by-election in May 2025 will be a critical test for Hartlepool’s political players. Labour will be keen to hold onto Throston, a ward it has historically dominated, but internal discord and Sharp’s exit could weaken their campaign. The Conservatives, who have governed the council in coalition with independents in recent years, will also be in the mix, though their own record on austerity is likely to hinder their appeal. Meanwhile, independents—who already hold one of Throston’s three seats—could capitalize on voter frustration with party politics, however its fair to say that the Independent councillor sitting there was not in fact elected as an Independent, & he, by his own admission, has his own future to consider as a local councillor....
For residents of Throston, the by-election represents therefore represents more than just a change of personnel. It’s a chance to weigh in on the direction of their town amidst economic challenges and shifting political loyalties. Cameron Sharp’s tenure, though brief, highlighted the potential for fresh voices to make a difference. His departure, however, raises many questions & underscores the difficulties of navigating a fractured political landscape—both locally and nationally.
Will Labour hold firm despite its troubles?
Can Reform UK finally break through?
One thing's for certain: the fallout from Sharp’s resignation has set the stage for a fiercely contested battle in what would have been a politically 'quiet' year for Hartlepool, which wasn't set to see any elections taking place until 2026....
