2010 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election explained

The 2010 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 6 May 2010 to elect members of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Labour Party stayed in overall control of the council.[1]

After the election, the composition of the council was:

Background

24 seats were contested in the election with the British National Party contesting every seat for the first time,[3] [4] more than the Liberal Democrats who only stood in 13 seats.[5] Labour were defending over half of the seats being contested, with the deputy leader of the council, Mahboob Hussain in Oldbury ward, being among the councillors standing for re-election.[6]

Election result

The results saw Labour increase their majority on the council after gaining 7 seats.[7] Labour took 2 seats from the Conservatives, 1 from the Liberal Democrats, 2 from the British National Party and 2 from independents.[6] This meant Labour had 56 seats, compared to 12 for the Conservatives and 4 for the Liberal Democrats.[6] Meanwhile, the British National Party losses in Princes End and Tividale meant the party no longer had any seats on the council.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Sandwell. BBC News Online. 28 February 2011. 19 April 2009.
  2. News: Local elections 2010 . 2011-03-01 . 2010-05-07 . . London.
  3. News: OAP's son in battle. Lloyd. Matt. 13 April 2010. Birmingham Mail. 18.
  4. News: BNP standing in more Sandwell Council seats than Lib Dems. 12 April 2010. Halesowen News. 1 March 2011.
  5. News: How the candidates line up for local elections. 16 April 2010. Sutton Coldfield Observer. 1 March 2011.
  6. News: Labour gains in Midlands. Elkes. Neil. 8 May 2010. Birmingham Mail. 2.
  7. News: Labour pick up council seats. 8 May 2010. Birmingham Mail. 1.
  8. News: Celebration as Sandwell Council becomes a 'BNP free' zone. 7 May 2010. Halesowen News. 1 March 2011.