Labour regain control of Wolverhampton City Council

Labour was today back in charge of Wolverhampton City Council after seizing power from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

A vote of no confidence, unprecedented in the history of the council, returned Labour leader Roger Lawrence to power after 32 months in opposition.

Labour won by two votes after Lib Dem councillor Claire Darke sided with them last night. It must now steer through £70 million of cuts.

Tory leader Neville Patten accused Labour of "cheek and arrogance" for taking power without being voted in by the public.

Councillor Lawrence said: "Jobs will be lost and services reshaped but we will seek to improve services."

The Tory-Lib Dem coalition lost its majority in two by-elections. It became a minority administration when Lib Dem councillor Darke withdrew her support for the coalition.

That left the coalition with 29 Tories and Lib Dems to 30 Labour councillors while Councillor Darke sat as an independent Lib Dem.