LABOUR’S Richard Parker has won the West Midlands Mayoral election in a very closely-contested race that needed recounts in several areas.
Mr Parker defeated Conservative Andy Street by just 1,508 votes.
The result was not confirmed until tonight after votes were recounted in areas, including Coventry and Sandwell.
Mr Parker finished on 225,590 (37.8 per cent) with Mr Street on 224,082 (37.5 per cent).
Next was Independent Akhmed Yakoob (69,621 – 11.7 per cent), Reform UK’s Elaine Williams (34,471 – 5.8 per cent), the Green Party candidate Siobhan Harper-Nunes (31,036 – 5.2 per cent) and Liberal Democrat Sunny Virk (12,176 – 2.0 per cent).
Speaking after his win, Mr Parker said among his priorities were to bring the buses back under public ownership, improve skills for young people and build more social housing.
Mr Street thanked everyone who ran the election and for everyone who voted for him. He added he was proud to have governed as West Midlands Mayor for seven years.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
In the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner election, Labour’s Simon Foster notched up more than 80,000 votes than Conservative Tom Byrne.
Standing up for the police: PCC Simon Foster.
Mr Foster finished up with 327,844 votes while Mr Byrne received 241,827 votes.
