2002 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election explained

Election Name:2002 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election
Country:United Kingdom
Type:legislative
Vote Type:Popular
Previous Election:2000 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election
Previous Year:2000
Next Election:2004 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election
Next Year:2004
Majority Seats:31
Party1:Labour Party (UK)
Last Election1:27 seats
Seats Before1:27
Seats Needed1:4
Seats1:12
Seats After1:28
Seat Change1:1
Popular Vote1:21,734
Percentage1:39.9%
Party2:Conservative Party (UK)
Last Election2:25 seats
Seats Before2:25
Seats Needed2:6
Seats2:6
Seats After2:24
Seat Change2:1
Popular Vote2:22,439
Percentage2:41.2%
Party3:Liberal Democrats (UK)
Last Election3:7 seats
Seats Before3:7
Seats Needed3:24
Seats3:2
Seats After3:7
Popular Vote3:5,137
Percentage3:9.4%

The 2002 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 2 May 2002 to elect members of Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.[1]

Background

Before the election the council was run by a coalition between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, after Labour had run the council from 1995 to 2000.[2] The candidates at the election were 20 each from the Labour and Conservative parties, 10 Liberal Democrats, 7 independents, 4 UK Independence Party and 3 Green Party.[2]

A significant issue at the election was a report from the Audit Commission in January 2002, which had made many criticisms of the council, with the council having almost been taken over by the national government 2 months before the election.[2]

Notes and References

  1. News: Walsall. BBC News Online. 17 September 2011.
  2. News: Fighting Walsall's 'rotten' image. Schaffer. David. 30 April 2002. BBC News Online. 17 September 2011.