WOLLASTON and Stourbridge Town's new Reform UK councillor says "residents want common sense back" as he vows to work on their behalf.
Andrew Southall is one of two Reform UK councillors elected in the ward - with the party taking both seats which were up for grabs.
Andrew, who runs his own vehicle detailing service, said he stood for election because he "believes local government should focus relentlessly on the basics: clean streets, safe communities, accountable spending and putting residents first."
The 34-year-old said: "Throughout the campaign I spoke to hundreds of residents across Wollaston and Stourbridge Town.
"The message was remarkably consistent: people are fed up with visible decline, anti-social behaviour, poor maintenance of roads and public spaces, pressure on local services and a council culture that often feels distant from the people paying for it.
"Residents want common sense back.
"They want councillors who are visible, accessible and willing to say what many people privately think but feel unable to say publicly. They want local identity protected, local taxpayers respected and decisions made in the interests of the community rather than political fashion.
"I also think there is a growing feeling across the country that people want stronger representation from politicians who are prepared to challenge consensus thinking rather than simply manage decline. That mood was certainly reflected on the doorstep during this election."
There were two seats available in the ward as Labour MP Cat Eccles stood down as local councillor.
Labour councillor Jason Griffin, who stood for re-election, lost his seat.
Andrew, who is also the UK distributor of SB3 Coatings, a brand of car cosmetic products, lives around five minutes outside the ward.
His previous work experience includes accounts, telecoms, bartending, and barbering.
He said: "Too many residents feel politics has stopped listening to ordinary people."
The other Reform UK councillor elected to Wollaston and Stourbridge Town is Kamlesh MacLeod. She said: "I am already working to make sure I can best serve the people of Wollaston & Stourbridge."
Reform UK made significant gains, winning 22 out of 25 seats and overtaking Labour to become the second-largest party on Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
The Conservatives remain the largest group, though they lost seats.
The Labour Party suffered heavy losses across the borough after dropping from 23 seats to 15, retaining just one of the seats it was defending.
The Liberal Democrats lost one seat, and the Black Country Party lost all three of its seats.
Wollaston & Stourbridge Town Ward - Turnout: 49.04%
Ruth Battersea, Green Party: 576 votes
Lois Bramall, Liberal Democrats: 1,202 votes
Marie Fields, Labour Party: 814 votes
Linda Foster, Green Party: 636 votes
Jason Griffin, Labour Party: 856 votes
Steven Hancock, Conservative Party: 856 votes
Kamlesh MacLeod, Reform UK: 1,464 votes - Elected
Kenneth Moore, Freedom Alliance: 61 votes
Richard Prosser, Conservative Party: 894 votes
David Sheppard, Liberal Democrats: 1,083 votes
Andrew Southall, Reform UK: 1,324 votes - Elected
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