 However, also in 2005, Labour gained a seat in Westworth from an independent at a by-election.A final change came in February 2007 when David Tomlin resigned from the Labour party after being convicted for falsely claiming benefits.This meant that before the 2007 election Labour had 22 seats, the Liberal Democrats 16, Conservatives 13, East Cleveland Independents 2, the Independent Group 5 and 1 independent, with the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and the 2 East Cleveland Independents forming the administration, while Labour and the other independents were in opposition.