Dudley Council leader slams 'grubby' Labour attempt to get power

Dudley Labour group leader Pete Lowe and members of his party are due to submit a motion calling for a change in leadership at a meeting in October.

Patrick Harley, the Conservative leader of the council, said Labour would be gaining power through the back door if successful.

Control has swung back and forth between the two parties over the last two years as neither commands a majority.

The latest vote follows the defection of Tory councillor Mike Attwood, which could tip the balance in Labour’s favour.

But Councillor Harley told the Express & Star: “It is not the will of the people. The will of the people in May was to have a Conservative administration.

“This will be going completely against the will of what the people voted for in May and Labour will be gaining power through the back door.

“It is quite a grubby attempt to get power when the electorate sent their message loud and clear – they do not like this party, which has moved every further to the left.

“Am I confident we can retain control? I have not got a crystal ball but all of our members will be there.

“We need the support of the independent Conservative councillor and the support of the mayor’s casting vote.

"It is a tough challenge, but those tough challenges are there to be taken head on.”

Councillor Lowe said he was ‘quietly confident’ ahead of the meeting.

He added: “To be clear, the vote of confidence has been called because its relatively clear that Patrick Harley has lost the confidence of the council chamber.

“We believe now as the largest party we are duty bound to put that vote before the council chamber.

"What we are confident of is that Patrick Harley no longer controls everyone in that Conservative group.”