David Stanley has been chosen as Dudley’s new mayor after a  passionate debate where Labour councillors pleaded for Hilary Bills to be given the  role.

The choosing of the largely ceremonial role overshadowed the election of Patrick Harley as leader of the council, giving Conservatives control of the authority.

The normally non-contentious selection became crucial because both  Labour and Conservatives hold 36 wards on the 72 seat authority.

The position comes with a pivotal but rarely used casting vote that breaks political deadlocks.

Cllr David Stanley
Cllr David Stanley

Traditionally the deputy mayor - this year, Labour Councillor Hilary Bills - is promoted to the role.

Labour argued since Cllr Bills was retiring next year this was her last ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’  to become mayor.

Cllr Judy Foster, deputy leader of the Labour group, addressing Conservatives  said: “This is her dream that you are walking all over if you don’t support her being mayor. This is the moment she has been looking forward to.”

Saying the Labour won’t use the casting vote to take control of the council, she added: “I am asking you to reconsider and whatever you have heard from your side, I am speaking to the decent Conservatives amongst you, please support Hilary being our mayor."

But Conservatives councillors said they had to nominate Cllr Stanley to ensure political control of the council.

He had already served as mayor during 2010-2011.

Cllr Patrick Harley, Conservative group leader, said he had no doubt Cllr Bills would make a ‘very good mayor’ but argued a Conservative council was the will of the people.

“The decisions we make tonight are regrettable. It’s a practical decision, a decision on who runs the authority,” he said.

“We don’t select all 72 [councillors] in one go, we elect in thirds and in the last two elections the Conservatives won the majority of those 24 up for grabs at each election.

“We have won 14 last year out of 24 and we have won 13 out of 24 this year.”

“So the decision of the people out there, our communities, is clear - they want a Conservative administration.”

With the absence of one Labour councillor due to illness, Cllr Stanley was elected as the mayor by 36 votes to 35 and Cllr Bills was re-elected as deputy mayor.

Later in the meeting, Cllr Harley was elected  unopposed as leader of the council.