New political party launches in Black Country

A new "community-led" political party has been launched in Dudley.

The Black Country Party was formed by six borough councillors who currently make up the Dudley Independent Group, known as 'the Diggers'.

They said they will aim to focus on local issues that affect working class people in the area at its launch on Friday.

The party includes councillors Karen Westwood, Steve Edwards, Matt Cook, Peter Drake, Karl Denning and Pete Lowe.

Wards Lye and Stourbridge North, Brierley Hill and Wordsley South, Brockmoor and Pensnett, Castle and Priory, and Coseley will now be represented by the Black Country Party on Dudley Council.

The elected leader is Lowe, with Westwood elected as deputy leader.

Lowe, who resigned from the Labour Party in January after being a member for 41 years, said: "To say I am proud to launch The Black Country Party is an understatement.

"We have six working class councillors who have had enough of a failed party system which puts Westminster and personal ambition before people.

"We believe politics needs to change and ordinary people need to have their voices heard."

Both councillors said they had previously left the Labour Party due to cuts to the winter fuel allowance and "removal of support for vulnerable people".

Westwood said: "I knew we had to be the voice for local people and offer something different. That is why we are launching the Black Country Party."

A joint statement from the councillors said the government should be investing in local communities.

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