Wolverhampton Politics

Last night, Wolverhampton’s Conservatives and Liberal Democrats came to an agreement that will see the Tories run the city council with support from the Lib Dems.

Neville Patten - the new leader of the council - gave <a href=”http://thestirrer.co.uk/red-route-scrapped-0805081.html/”>the details to The Stirrer</a>, where he revealed the following:

<ul>
<li>The unpopular and ineffective A449 red route in Fordhouses will be scrapped.</li>
<li>Kerbside plastic and cardboard recycling will finally come to the city and they’re promising within three months.</li>
<li>There’ll be a review of youth services with the suggestion of more facilities for teenagers.</li>
</ul>

That’s on top of their commitment to lower council tax. I’m hoping to interview Neville Patten on tomorrow’s Wolverhampton Politics Show.

Rumour has it that today will see a change in leadership in Wolverhampton’s Conservative group. More as I get it.

Update: so, we now know that Neville Patten has been elected leader of Wolverhampton Conservatives, following Paddy Bradley’s resignation.

There’s a lot in blogs and newspapers suggesting major divisions and rows in the Wolves Conservatives. I gave Neville Patten a call to see if there was any truth to it. Here’s what he said, subject to my ability to scribble it down:

I hope to bring members of the local party together and present a united front to fight Labour and win seats in May’s local elections. I hope to build on that as a foundation for the forthcoming general election.

Reports of division and bad feeling are nonsense. Paddy Bradley’s resignation at this time was unexpected and, following her announcement, the rest of the meeting was held in stunned silence. We knew that she was planning to stand down but expected that would happen after the May elections.

However, both at that meeting and at the meeting to elect a new leader, it was all very civilised. Reports of arguments and unpleasantness are untrue.

While there are natural disagreements - as happens in any group of people - there is no division in Wolverhampton Conservatives.