Councillor Alistair Chisholm has left Newcastle's ruling Labour Party to join the Green Party, citing discomfort with Labour's policies on welfare, the war in Gaza, and asylum reforms. Chisholm, who has represented the Ouseburn ward since 2018, criticized Labour for failing residents on issues such as disability benefits, housing, and moral leadership. His defection gives the Greens a fourth seat on the city council, which is now under no overall political control. Labour, which has run a minority administration since losing its majority, expressed regret over Chisholm's departure but reaffirmed its commitment to serving residents. The move follows a series of recent defections from Labour, further shifting the balance of power ahead of next year's city-wide elections.