2011 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election explained

Election Name:2011 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election
Country:United Kingdom
Type:Parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Party Colour:yes
Previous Election:2010 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election
Previous Year:2010
Next Election:2012 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election
Next Year:2012
Seats For Election:One third (24) seats to Sandwell Borough Council
Election Date:5 May 2011
Party1:Labour Party (UK)
Seats1:58
Seat Change1:1
Popular Vote1:50,950
Percentage1:65.6%
Party2:Conservative Party (UK)
Seats2:9
Popular Vote2:20,056
Percentage2:25.8%
Party3:Liberal Democrats (UK)
Seats3:3
Seat Change3: 1
Popular Vote3:3,768
Percentage3:4.8%
Map Size:300px
Council control
Posttitle:Council control after election
Before Election:Labour
After Election:Labour

The 2011 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2011 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

Labour defended 22 of the 24 seats which were contested in 2011, compared to 1 seat being defended each for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.[3] Labour councillors defending seats included Elaine Costigan, who had defected from the Conservatives, and the deputy leader of the council Steve Eling.[3] [4]

The British National Party only contested 2 seats, compared to 17 when these seats were last contested in 2007 and a full slate in 2010.[4] [5] A new Traditional Conservative Party, led by the former Sandwell Conservative leader Tony Ward, also put up candidates.[4] Ward had left the Conservatives after being deposed as leader in 2010.[4]

Election result

The results saw Labour maintain a majority on the council after making a gain of one seat[6] from the Liberal Democrats.[7] This meant Labour took 23 of the 24 seats contested[8] and therefore had 58 of the 72 councillors.[7] The only seat not won by Labour was held by the Conservatives in Charlemont with Grove Vale.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. News: England council elections. BBC News Online. 28 August 2011.
  2. Web site: Election results 2011. Sandwell Council. 28 August 2011.
  3. News: Walsall and Dudley leaders up for re-election as Black Country councils go to the polls. Henwood. Chris. 6 April 2011. Birmingham Post. 29 August 2011.
  4. News: Local elections could give Labour the spark it needs. Game. Chris. 22 April 2011. Birmingham Post. 29 August 2011.
  5. News: BNP standing in more Sandwell Council seats than Lib Dems. 12 April 2010. Halesowen News. 1 March 2011.
  6. News: Labour gains seats on Birmingham City Council. 6 May 2011. BBC News Online. 29 August 2011.
  7. News: Drama at the 2011 local elections in the West Midlands. Elkes. Neil. 12 May 2011. Birmingham Post. 29 August 2011.
  8. News: Labour sweeps to victory in Sandwell local elections. 6 May 2011. Halesowen News. 29 August 2011.
  9. News: Sandwell Council elections: Full results ward by ward. 6 May 2011. Birmingham Mail. 29 August 2011.