Congratulations to Simon and Richard
Richard Parker has narrowly beaten Andy Street to become the next mayor of the West Midlands in the most tightly contested metro mayor ballot in England.
Parker clinched the win by a knife-edge 1,508 votes – he received 225,590 votes, slightly ahead of Street’s 224,082.
Taking to the stage for his victory speech, Richard said: “This is the most important thing I will ever do. This week, the people voted for the person and the party. They recognised a Labour mayor can make a positive difference. It shows that people are calling for Labour and calling for change. People are asking us to govern.
Saturday also saw the re-election of Simon Foster as Police and Crime Commissioner with a convincing win beating his Conservative rival Tom Byrne by 327,844 votes to 241,827.
He thanked voters and Labour Party staff and members who had worked tirelessly for delivering the result.
“I’ve had a truly brilliant team,” he said. “I cannot name you all but you know who you are.”
“The only honour and privilige greater than being elected by our fellow citizens is to be re-elected by your fellow citizens,” he said.
I started my career in law 44 years ago and I have dedicated my entire adult professional life to the justice system.
He said the role of the PCC was as important as the role of mayor and needed a democratic mandate to reduce crime.
