Dudley Labour group appoints new leader in wake of resignations

Councillor Adam Aston was appointed leader of the group after appearing before an interview panel of the party's national executive committee this week.

His appointment follows last month's resignations of five Labour councillors in the borough, including group leader Councillor Pete Lowe.

The five joined forces with Councillor Steve Edwards - who was expelled from the party in February over his comments about Sir Keir Starmer - to form the Dudley Independent Group.

In the wake of the resignations, the party's national executive stepped in and held an interview process yesterday (April 10). 

Following the interviews the panel appointed Councillor Aston as group leader, Councillor Hilary Bills as chief whip, and Councillor Ellen Cobb as the group's chairman.

Councillor Aston has served as a councillor for the Upper Gornal and Woodsetton ward in Dudley for the past 14 years. His mother Margaret was also a councillor, serving as mayor in 2014.

Councillor Aston, who works as a paramedic and also volunteers with St John Ambulance service, said he was honoured to take on the role.

"I love Dudley and I'm incredibly proud to serve my community as a Labour Councillor, I'm honoured to now lead Dudley Labour Group," he said.

"After a decade of cuts to local government inflicted by the Conservatives, Dudley Council is in a dire financial situation. I do not underestimate the challenges ahead. 

"Only Labour has a plan to turn things around and I will work tirelessly to deliver for residents across the borough."

Councillor Aston's appointment followed the shock resignations of Councillor Lowe, along with Councillors Karen Westwood, Peter Drake, Karl Denning, Matt Cook and Luke Hamblett last month, in protest at the Government's welfare cuts.

The previous month, Councillor Steve Edwards was expelled from the party for his criticism of Sir Keir Starmer. He joined Councillors Lowe, Westwood, Cook, Drake and Denning to form Dudley Independent Group. The new group has also held talks with former Conservative Councillor Shaun Keasey, but at the moment he remains a non-affiliated independent, alongside Councillor Hamblett.

Councillor Shaukat Ali had served as interim group leader until Councillor Aston's appointment.

Councillor Lowe had led Labour to within a whisker of taking control of the Tory-run council at last year's May elections. The party tied with the Conservative group holding 34 seats each, with the Liberal Democrats on three seats and Councillor Keasey, who stood as an independent, holding the balance of power.

The Tories, led by Councillor Patrick Harley, retained the leadership of the council following talks between the different groups. 

Since then, the Labour group has been rocked by a total of nine resignations, also including Councillor Andrew Tromans who this year joined the Liberal Democrats, and Labour group deputy leader Councillor Judy Foster. Councillor Foster also resigned her council seat, and the subsequent by-election was won by the Conservatives. 

The Conservatives now hold 35 of the 72 seats on the council, with Labour on 25, Dudley Independent Group on six, the Liberal Democrats on four, with two non-affiliated independents.