Bilston North: Mia Clarke (Green Party), Linda Leach (Lab), Rohit Mistry (Lab), Audrey Okere (Con), Dan Perry-Preston (Con), Surrinder Ram (Con), Sue Roberts (Lab).

This is the full list of candidates for the Black Country councils: Wolverhampton Keir Starmer will hope Labour's lead in the polls will be reflected at the ballot box. Results from Dudley and Sandwell are expected in the early hours of Friday, while results will be confirmed in Wolverhampton and Walsall on Friday afternoon.Īs the party in power, and during a cost of living crisis, the Conservatives are expected to take a major hit at Rishi Sunak's first national electoral test as Prime Minister. These are very much the areas to watch in the Black Country. The Tories control both of these councils but Labour will be targeting gains and maybe even taking control of one or both of these authorities, which have been swing councils over recent years. Things could be more interesting in Walsall and Dudley.

READ MORE: Why there are no local elections for Birmingham City Council today Labour will be aiming to increase its domination on both councils after the Conservatives made gains in recent years at the height of Boris Johnson's popularity amid the debate over Brexit.

Labour has comfortable majorities in Wolverhampton and Sandwell and no major shocks are expected here. This means every seat on the city council is being contested at the same time. Council seats are being contested in all four areas - Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell.Īround a third of seats are up for grabs in all areas apart from Wolverhampton, which has switched to all-out elections for the first time. Voters are heading to the polls across the Black Country today for the 2023 local elections.

Killer Crescent by Leigh Kelsey