Labour tightens grip on Wolverhampton Council

Labour this afternoon strengthened its grip on Wolverhampton City Council, winning a clear majority for the first time in three years.

The party won three seats from the Tories and one from the Liberal Democrats. The swing was blamed by councillors on Government cuts and the controversial coalition at Whitehall.

The Labour party is now controlling Wolverhampton City Council with 35 councillors out of a total of 60.

It claimed victories in Conservative seats in Bushbury North, Wednesfield South and Oxley, as well as taking the Liberal Democrat seat in Park.

Labour leader Roger Lawrence said: "It's going to be a difficult year. We are facing an unprecedented financial position but we are committed to a wide-ranging consultation exercise."