We'll work with other parties - Labour group leader

The Labour leader of Redditch Borough Council says she is ready to work with other parties in the wake of last week's election results, which left her group clinging to power.

Councillor Sharon Harvey also said she intends to carry on running the authority as a minority administration, after the count last week left no party in overall control, for the first time since 2008.

Reform UK won eight of the nine council seats that were up for grabs, meaning they are now the main opposition in the town, with its branch chair calling for a "balanced approach" over decision-making.

Harvey said: "We need to make sure we are all working together for Redditch."

Of the 27 Redditch borough councillors, 13 are now Labour compared to eight from Reform, four from the Conservatives and two independents.

"It's fair to say Reform got lots of votes - they've obviously got a lot of support," Harvey accepted.

"So, the thing we have to do now is all work together, to make sure we are working for Redditch and delivering what Redditch needs, whatever our political colour is."

Harvey also told the BBC she was backing Sir Keir Starmer to remain prime minister, and urged voters to give him another chance.

"I don't think now is the right time to be making big changes at the top, when we've only been in control for two years nationally," she said.

Reform's branch chair Donna Westwood, said she expected their eight new councillors to hit the ground running, and insisted they would hold the Labour leadership to account.

"It's important there's a balanced approach and that nobody can run roughshod over the decisions," Westwood said.

"After these results, Redditch Borough Council has got to be a collective organisation with collective decision making.

"And I think you'll see that will happen more and more in councils.

"People in Redditch have decided they want more accountability, with a more balanced approach to decision making."

The Conservative group - which has shrunk from five councillors to four - described the results as disappointing.

Tory councillor Matt Dormer, said: "We have delivered a lot for Redditch locally and been very successful for the town, but like the other parties, we get judged nationally.

"It's very disappointing, but good luck to Reform - they'll have to turn up now."

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