A leading Conservative on Dudley Council has attacked an attempt to take control of the authority this week as ‘grubby’ and ‘opportunist’.

Deputy leader Cllr David Vickers’ comments come as the Labour group submits a motion calling for a change in leadership at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday.

If successful, it would mean political control of the council would switch to Labour which is now the largest group with 36 seats after Norton councillor Mike Attwood defected to the party in July.

Dudley Council.
Dudley Council.

Cllr Pete Lowe, Labour group leader, said it’s now his group’s duty to contest the control of the authority as the biggest political party.

But predicting the Conservatives will keep hold of the reins of power, Cllr Vickers described the move as 'uncalled for, opportunist and I think very grubby'.

He said: “They are the largest group, fractionally. We’re elected by the local community to represent them in the council as ‘in control.’

“Things have changed slightly but I still believe that we are the group that local people want there.”

In May's local elections both the Conservatives and Labour won 35 seats, one short of overall control.

But with the support of an independent, and a UKIP councillor who later joined the party, the Tories won power.

The switch of former Conservative councillor, Mike Attwood, to Labour has triggered the present challenge which hangs on who the mayor - with his extra casting vote - supports.

Cllr Lowe claimed there were disagreements with the Conservatives which could aid Labour taking control: “This Conservative council is serving the interests of a Conservative government not the interests of Dudley.

"We need an authority that puts local people first, this is why we are putting it to the council chamber this week.

“We are duty bound to put this before the council and we are aware of unease with the Conservative party, so we will see if that transports into votes next Wednesday.”

Council leader Patrick Harley was unavailable for comment.