Walsall local election results: Tory gains leave them in pole position
The Tories came within one seat of an overall majority in Walsall after gaining five wards.
The Conservatives ended up with 30 seats, while Labour lost two to be left with 26, with the remaining four seats split between the Liberal Democrats and independents.
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Previously Labour was in control with 28 seats to the Tories' 24.
Walsall Conservative leader Mike Bird is confident of getting the support he requires to run a minority administration.
"It’s good to be back,” he said.
"I am very pleased, I think it's been an exceptional night for the Conservative Party in Walsall and that's down to the hard work and effort that everyone has put in.
"The Brexit vote has had some effect here but the real effect is that people are disenchanted with two years of Labour. They've shown their inexperience, lack of knowledge and vision.
"We've got 30 councillors, are the largest party now and should form an administration."
Labour councillor Ian Robertson, said: “We don’t have the numbers and mean it will be a Tory administration.
“We have tried and we will continue to try to do the best for the people of Walsall.
“This is their verdict and we have to accept it.”
Walsall Council results - ward by ward
What happened: The Tories gained five seats, while Labour lost two.
Political make-up: No overall control (Cons – 30; Lab – 26; Lib Dem – 2; Indep – 2)
Turnout: 29 per cent
* Party previously holding seat
Aldridge Central and South (Cons hold)
John Murray (Cons)* – 2,638
Mish Rahman (Lab) – 683
Roy Sheward (Lib Dem) – 303
Aldridge North and Walsall Wood (Cons hold)
Bob Grainger (Lab) – 806
Anthony Harris (Cons)* – 1,769
Bentley and Darlaston North (Lab hold)
Rose Burley (Lab)* – 1,782
Colleen Jones (Cons) – 654
Birchills-Leamore (Lab hold)
Gaz Ali (Cons) – 1,254
Lee Jeavons (Lab)* – 1,296
Blakenall (Lab hold)
Ross Lee (Cons) – 364
Shaun Mckenzie (Green) – 38
Ian Robertson (Lab)* – 964
Pete Smith (Indep) – 654
Bloxwich East (Cons gain)
Kath Phillips (Lab)* – 1,127
Mark Statham (Cons) – 1,150
Bloxwich West (Cons hold)
Louise Harrison (Cons)* – 1,642
Natalie Latham (Lab) – 1,096
Brownhills (Cons hold)
Derek Bennett (UKIP) – 170
Stephen Craddock (Cons)* – 1,414
Patti Lane (Lab) – 958
Timothy Martin (Green) – 98
Darlaston South (Indep hold)
Paul Bott (Indep)* – 999
Hilda Derry (Cons) – 321
Karen Jukes (Lib Dem) – 59
Deb Madeley (Lab) – 974
Paddock (Cons gain; Cons hold)
Haj Bashir (Lab) – 1,463
Andrea Bradley (Lab) – 1,408
Peter Faultless (UKIP) – 219
Jennifer Gray (Lib Dem) – 316
Waheed Rasab (Cons) – 2,299
Gurmeet Sohal (Cons)* – 2,496
Palfrey (Lab hold)
Mozamil Khan (Cons) – 1,211
Mohammad Zazir (Lab)* – 2,675
Pelsall (Cons hold)
Graham Eardley (UKIP) – 264
John Maltman (Lab) – 607
Sally Neville (Cons)* – 1,733
John Van Steijn (Lib Dem) – 111
Pheasey Park Farm (Cons hold)
Shamim Ahmed (Lab) – 730
Glyn Fletcher (Lib Dem) – 131
Steven Grey (UKIP) – 177
Christopher Towe (Cons)* – 1,707
Pleck (Lab hold)
Jitu Miah (Cons) – 609
Harbans Sarohi (Lab)* – 2,453
Rushall-Shelfield (Cons gain)
Liam Allen (Green) – 91
Sam Cooke (Lib Dem) – 92
Sue Laws (Lab)* – 1,030
Vera Waters (Cons) – 1,369
Short Heath (Cons gain)
Carl Brown (Lab) – 635
Bal Chattha (Cons) – 962
Darren Hazell (UKIP)* – 198
Benjamin Hodges (Lib Dem) – 593
St Matthews (Lab hold)
Shaheen Choudhury (Indep) – 129
Arfan Matloob (Cons) – 1,415
Aftab Nawaz (Lab)* – 2,071
Susan Webster (Green) – 399
Streetly (Cons hold)
David Morgan (Lab) – 638
Suky Samra (Cons)* – 2,184
Kartar Uppal (Lib Dem) – 291
Willenhall North (Cons gain)
Oliver Butler (Cons) – 1,063
Carol Fletcher (Lib Dem) – 560
Liz Hazell (UKIP)* – 233
Bob Thomas (Lab) – 694
Willenhall South (Lab hold)
Bruce Bennett (UKIP) – 191
Diane Coughlan (Lab)* – 1,581
Nirmal Singh (Cons) – 983
