2022 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election explained

Election Name:2022 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election
Country:West Midlands
Type:Parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Party Colour:yes
Previous Election:2021 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election
Previous Year:2021
Next Election:2023 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election
Next Year:2023
Seats For Election:21 of 60 seats on Walsall Council
Majority Seats:31
Election Date:5 May 2022
Party1:Conservative Party (UK)
Leader1:Mike Bird
Seats Before1:37
Seats After1:38
Party2:Labour Party (UK)
Leader2:Aftab Nawaz
Seats Before2:19
Seats After2:20
Seat Change2:1
Party3:Independent politician
Leader3:n/a
Seats Before3:2
Seats After3:2
Leader
Before Election:Mike Bird
Before Party:Conservative Party (UK)
Posttitle:Leader after election
After Election:Mike Bird
After Party:Conservative Party (UK)

The 2022 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2022 to elect members of Walsall Council. This was on the same day as other local elections. 21 of the 60 seats were up for election, with 1 ward (Willenhall South) electing 2 councillors.[1]

Background

Since its creation in 1974, Walsall has varied between the Conservatives and Labour. Between 1973 and 2004, Walsall had been under Labour control from 1973 to 1976, 1980 to 1982, 1988 to 1992, 1995 to 1996, and 1999 to 2000.[2] It was then under Conservative control between 2004 and 2011, before reverting to no overall control and being retaken by the Conservatives in 2019.[3] In the 2021 elections, the Conservatives gained 5 seats with 54.1% of the vote, Labour lost 3 with 36.3%, and the Liberal Democrats lost their 2 seats on the council with 2.5%.

The seats up for election this year were last elected in 2018. In that election, the Conservatives gained 5 seats, Labour lost 2, and UKIP lost their 3 seats on the council.[4]

Previous council composition

After 2021 electionBefore 2022 election[5] After 2022 election
PartySeatsPartySeatsPartySeats
363738
221920
222

Changes:

Results by ward

An asterisk indicates an incumbent councillor.

Willenhall South

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Election timetable in England . GOV.UK . 9 April 2022.
  2. Web site: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Election Results 1973-2012 . Elections Centre . 9 April 2022.
  3. News: Coussins . Jordan . Walsall Council local elections 2019: Conservatives take control . 9 April 2022 . BirminghamLive . 3 May 2019.
  4. News: Leather . Harry . Walsall local election results: Tory gains leave them in pole position . 9 April 2022 . Express and Star.
  5. Web site: Your Councillors by Party . Walsall.gov . 9 April 2022. 8 April 2022.
  6. Web site: Councillor Douglas James . Walsall.com . 9 April 2022.
  7. News: Thandi . Gurdip . 'True gentleman' of Walsall politics – due to become mayor next year – dies suddenly . 9 April 2022 . expressandstar.com.
  8. News: Thandi . Gurdip . Candidate who couldn't win by-election WINS it and it's pointless . 9 April 2022 . BirminghamLive . 17 December 2021.
  9. News: Thandi . Gurdip . Ex-council boss quits after child sex offence charges . 9 April 2022 . BirminghamLive . 6 December 2021.