REDDITCH’S Labour Group of councillors have selected Councillor Andy Fry (Lodge Park) as their new leader.
It follows the loss of all seven seats contested in last week’s borough elections that saw the defeat of their then leader Bill Hartnett and reducing Labour’s representation at the Town Hall to just four councillors.
Coun Fry has vowed to hold the ruling Conservative administration to account and to represent the views of the local community.
He will be backed by Coun Debbie Chance (Central) as deputy leader, Coun Wanda King (Greenlands) as deputy Chair and Jenny Wheeler (Greenlands) as Group Whip.
“The results last Thursday were a disappointment for the Labour Party in Redditch,” Said Coun Fry.
“However, with a 31 per cent share of the vote we have a role in scrutinising and putting forward alternative policies based on our manifesto and our values – not only for our supporters, but for those who, for whatever reason, did not vote and may feel disenfranchised with the current state of politics.
“Our role will be to build on our support and work towards success in the next elections.”
Paying tribute to those colleagues who lost their seats, Coun Fry said: “To lose such an array of talent in Bill Hartnett, Greg Chance and Joe Baker has led us to rethink our priorities as we plan the way forward.
“As our town recovers from the devastating effects of Covid, I see the role of Redditch Labour to ensure that everyone in our town reaps the benefits of ‘Building Back Fairer’, to ensure that funding is targeted where it’s needed most and to support our voluntary groups who have worked tirelessly to support our community.”
