Tories triumphant after election night drama

8:15am Friday 2nd May 2008

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STOURBRIDGE Tories are celebrating as their opponents got the blues in a dramatic election night of Conservative gains.

As Dudley Council poll results came in at counts in Stourbridge and Brierley Hill, even Tory Party chiefs were shocked by surprise wins in wards across the region.

Voters in Wollaston and Stourbridge Town ousted Lib Dem June Collins in favour of Nick Barlow by a majority of 237, leaving the Conservative candidate in buoyant mood.

Speaking minutes after the result was declared, Cllr Barlow said: "It will take a lot of getting used to, I am still in a state of shock.

"It has been a lot of hard work to unseat June Collins, it will be a hard act to follow."

In Brockmoor and Pensnett the Tory charge continued as Susan Greenaway captured a seat in the previously solid Labour ward.

In Kingswinford North and Wall Heath Tory Denise Harley captured a place on the council after voters rejected Lib Dem David Lavender.

Despite early nerves, Tory Adrian Turner turned the tide of recent Labour wins in Lye and Wollescote by holding the seat with a majority of 264.

Cllr Turner said: "I didn't take the electorate for granted, it was all or nothing, I am very happy."

Beaten Lye candidate Abdul Qadus (Independent) vowed to stay in the political arena, promising to stand for Parliament in the next general election.

Mr Qadus said: "I am definitely going to be back, a lot of people said when I was a councillor Lye was cleaner and safer."

There were no surprises in Norton or Pedmore and Stourbridge East as safe Conservative seats were retained with big majorities.

Cllr Mike Attwood dismissed a challenge from the British National Party, who gained just under seven per cent of the vote in Norton.

Cllr Attwood said: "It was a paper candidate putting a finger in the water to see if there was any support, they came to the wrong place."

Conservative Les Jones (Pedmore and Stourbridge East) used his victory speech to take a swipe at Labour, declaring his party was connecting with Dudley people.

Cllr Jones said: "It has been an outstanding night of results, we have shown people a Conservative administration looks after their interests, rather than Labour self interest."