As May 7 draws near, Dudley’s political landscape is heating up with intense competition set to determine the borough’s leadership for the coming year. The Conservative Party currently holds the largest number of seats and governs Dudley Council with support from the Liberal Democrats, while Labour stands as the main opposition. Reform UK and The Black Country Party also have representation, and all parties are vying for control of the 25 seats up for election.
Each major party — Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK — is fielding a full slate of 25 candidates, setting the stage for a closely fought contest across the borough’s wards.
One of the standout battles is unfolding in Sedgley, where well-known figures Shaun Keasey (Reform UK) and Bill Etheridge (Conservative) face off. Both candidates have notable political histories: Keasey, who first won the Sedgley seat as a Conservative in 2018 after switching from UKIP, currently represents Reform UK. Etheridge, formerly a Conservative councillor and UKIP MEP, aims to regain influence from the Conservative camp. Other contenders in Sedgley include Colin Drewery (Green), Tremaine Herbert (Labour), and John Slim (Liberal Democrat).
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In Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, former Conservative MP Marco Longhi runs as a Reform UK candidate against deputy mayor Mushtaq Hussain, who defends the seat for Labour. The contest also features Charlie Hilken (Green), Zoe Bradley (Conservative), and Elaine Sheppard (Liberal Democrat).
Brockmoor and Pensnett will see former Labour councillor John Martin strive to reclaim the seat for Labour amid stiff competition from Reform UK’s Joel Hyde. The ward has recently witnessed surprising results, such as a 2024 by-election where a Conservative won in a traditionally Labour stronghold. Matt Snell hopes to replicate that success, while incumbent Karen Westwood, who defected from Labour to The Black Country Party, seeks reelection. Liberal Democrat John Bramall is also running in this contest.
In the uniquely competitive ward of Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, two councillors will be elected. Labour’s Jason Griffin seeks re-election, and a second seat is open following the resignation of Labour MP Cat Eccles. Liberal Democrats Lois Bramall and David Sheppard aim to join fellow Lib Dem Andrew Tromans — who switched from Labour in 2024 — in sweeping the ward. Marie Fields represents Labour, while Reform UK’s Andrew Southall and Kam Macleod also challenge for seats. The Conservatives, who narrowly missed gains in 2024, are fielding Richard Prosser and Steve Hancock. Meanwhile, Ruth Battersea and Linda Foster stand for the Green Party, and Ken Moore represents the Freedom Alliance.
With such tightly contested wards and experienced candidates, the Dudley Council election promises surprises and potentially significant shifts in local governance.