Mayor vows to ‘deliver hope’ after votes blow

New city corporation will drive £11bn projects forward – Parker

- ALEXANDER BROCK News Reporter

WEST Midlands Mayor Richard Parker says Labour can still ‘deliver hope’ in the region despite a brutal set of local election results for the party.

A disastrous 24 hours saw Labour lose control of councils in both Birmingham and Sandwell, with Reform UK becoming the biggest party on both.

While Reform has taken control of Sandwell and Walsall, Birmingham's fractured politics means the city council there fell into no overall control.

Amid recent uncertainty, talks have been taking place to see if a coalition can be formed in Birmingham to set up a stable administration.

With Labour losing control of a flagship council in Birmingham and Reform taking charge elsewhere in the region, Richard Parker was asked whether the recent election results would make his life as Mayor more difficult.

“I've got to work with the leaders of the councils on my board,” he said. “I've worked really closely with the leaders up to date.

“We've had not one issue that's even gone to a vote.

“I will continue to work in partnership and collaboration with all the council leaders in the best interests of this city and the wider region.”