West Midlands PCC election result: Labour's Simon Foster retains position as he beats Tory rival
Simon Foster has retained his position as the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
The Labour candidate beat his Conservative rival, Thomas Byrne, by more than 86,000 votes to secure a second term.
In total, Mr Foster attracted 327,844 votes compared to Mr Byrne's 241,827 to maintain Labour's 100 per cent record of winning the West Midlands PCC. Labour actually enjoyed a 4.5 per cent swing towards them in this year's contest.
Speaking after the result declaration in Birmingham, Mr Foster, who won a legal battle to fight Government efforts to scrap his PCC post, said: "The role of the PCC is as important as that of the (regional) mayor.
"That's why the West Midlands needs a democratically-elected and directly accountable PCC with their own democratic mandate. This is an election the Conservative government and its mayor did not want."
He also said: "I thank each and every single one of the people who have placed their faith and trust in me, by voting to re-elect me as their Police and Crime Commissioner.
“I fought and won a court battle, all the way to the Court of Appeal, so that the people of the West Midlands could decide for themselves who they wanted to represent them as their Police and Crime Commissioner.
“Today the people have made that decision and I now re-dedicate myself to representing the people of the West Midlands, holding West Midlands Police to account and continuing to rebuild community policing.
“My top priority will always be preventing, tackling and reducing crime – and justice, safety and security for all of the people and communities of the West Midlands.”
Mr Foster also thanked Labour Party staff and members.
"I've had a truly brilliant team," he said. "I cannot name you all but you know who you are.
"The only honour and privilige greater than being elected by our fellow citizens is to be re-elected by your fellow citizens."
Full West Midlands PCC election results
Birmingham
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 77,798
Simon Foster, Labour - 125,631
Coventry
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 24,989
Simon Foster, Labour - 43,014
Dudley
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 37,434
Simon Foster, Labour - 35,506
Sandwell
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 20,846
Simon Foster, Labour - 42,396
Solihull
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 33,159
Simon Foster, Labour - 21,184
Walsall
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 26,738
Simon Foster, Labour - 28,141
Wolverhampton
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 20,863
Simon Foster, Labour - 31,972
Total
Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 241,827
Simon Foster, Labour - 327,844
Turnout was 29.39 per cent.
