Inevitably Twitter has exploded with denunciations of Jeremy Corbyn but here a cursory Internet searches show a different story.

1. The reason for the by-election is the previous Councillor Jacqui Gallagher didn’t turn up to meetings. In that context, given the Lib Dems renowned ability at local campaigns, it would have been more of a shock if Labour had held the seat. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/our-region/sunderland/sunderland-councillor-loses-seat-after-failing-to-attend-a-single-meeting-for-six-months-1-8259792

2. The Lib Dems had an open goal and they kicked the ball in the back of the net 

This of course is a wider and more worrying issue for Labour. It is places like Sandhill ward that need a Labour councillor the most. It is where Councillor’s don’t take their roles seriously and engage with and deliver for the community that tensions and anger arise.