Dudley UKIP leader Councillor Paul Brothwood rules out coalition after council left under no overall control

Ahead of polling day, group leader Councillor Paul Brothwood said if re-elected to head up the borough's UKIP group he would not be doing a deal with Labour should the ruling group lose overall control of the authority.

And following Labour losses, Conservative gains and another seat for UKIP which left Dudley Council with 35 Labour councillors, 29 Conservatives and eight UKIP members - cllr Brothwood, who was re-selected as UKIP's Dudley group leader on Friday, has confirmed he's not interested in a deal with the Tories either.

He said: "As a group we have chosen not to form any coalition with any party. We believe this is not what our voters want.

"If the other parties want to form a grand coalition and allow us to become the official opposition that is their choice.

"This will clearly demonstrate how close the Tories and Labour really are, UKIP will continue to provide the necessary scrutiny in Dudley Council and hold them all to account."

UKIP's victory in Wordsley which saw Kerry Lewis victorious over Labour's Kevin Billingham means the purple party now has its highest-ever number of councillors on Dudley Council.

Cllr Brothwood said yesterday's election proved "another successful night for UKIP not just in Dudley borough but across the country" and he said he's looking forward to continuing as group leader, with Councillor Dean Perks as deputy, to tackle the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile - councillor Pete Lowe has been re-elected as Dudley Labour group leader and has stated his wish to remain as leader of the authority. He told the News: "Whilst discussions will undoubtedly take place - it is my clear understanding that I will put myself forward to remain council leader."

Councillor Patrick Harley, who has been re-elected as leader of Dudley Conservatives, said it was too early to say how things would pan out but he said he'd be meeting with colleagues on Monday to discuss a way forward.