Elections to stay the same in Dudley is 'good for democracy'.

Elections will still be held three in every four years after residents overwhelmingly backed keeping votes as they are, rather than a change to every four years.

Opposition Labour leaders in Dudley were angered by the proposals which they felt was an attempt to keep them out of power.

More than 80 per cent of people that took part in the consultation from across the borough agreed that the current system should stay as it is.

The consultation launched by the controlling Tory/UKIP alliance on Dudley council looked to change the way elections are done in Dudley altogether.

Dudley Labour Group argued that the current system lets people have their say more often, holds councillors to account and ensures controlling parties are accountable ever year to the people they serve.

Councillor Peter Lowe, leader of Dudley Labour group, said: "I think this is a fantastic day for democracy and a clear signal that local resident's want to see more of their councillors, not less, and they certainly want to be able to have a say on who runs the Council more than just every four years.

"I think it shows a lot about the current Tory/UKIP alliance on the Council that the first thing they do when taking power without winning an election is to look at changing elections altogether.

"As I have said before I think these proposals were a complete disgrace and it would have lead to less accountability and less of a say for local people, which might have been convenient for the Tories and UKIP but a bad situation for democracy and accountability.

"I'm glad Resident's have seen these proposals for what they are and as Leader of Dudley Labour Group we are going to continue working hard all year round for local residents."

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said it had been a 'worthwhile exercise'.

He said: “We can now move forward with confidence that a good number of people took part in the consultation and the electorate is happy with the way elections involve people in the democratic process.

"This has been a very worthwhile exercise in asking people how they want to influence the decision-making at Dudley Council."