Conservatives seize control of Dudley Council from Labour as UKIP back decisive vote
The Conservatives have taken control of Dudley Council after support from UKIP saw Labour removed from power.
Tory and UKIP councillors joined forces to take advantage of Labour having no majority, with the motion to put the Tories in charge passing by just two votes on a dramatic evening.
The fine balance of power in Dudley - with the council having been under no overall control for the last year - left Labour vulnerable to being turfed out.
It means Labour's Pete Lowe has been removed as council leader and replaced by Conservative counterpart Patrick Harley.
There was no debate before the vote was taken, with Labour councillors apparently resigned to their fate.
UKIP had suggested they would support the Tories in order to get Labour out.
UKIP group leader Councillor Paul Brothwood said he could no longer support Labour following disagreements over several proposals, including leisure centres and council tax.
Councillor Harley told the chamber: "I'd like to thank both Conservative and UKIP councillors who have made a very brave decision.
"It takes a lot of guts to make the decision some people have. I believe it is the right one.
"It is now up to all political groups how no overall control works, with no secrets and no surprises.
"We should be as transparent as possible."
