'PCC wins show Labour is party of law and order'
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Labour leader Keir Starmer has declared the party’s success in the West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) election as proof that it is a “party of law and order”.
Simon Foster was re-elected as the region’s PCC after winning 327,844 votes, while his Conservative rival Tom Byrne received 241,827 votes.
Voters across the region went to the polls on Thursday, with counting taking place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham on Saturday.
"I think it's a fantastic result, it's vindication of the hard work that has been put in by the police and crime commissioner, ” Mr Starmer told the BBC at the count.
He added: “The untold story of these elections in 2024 is the number of police and crime commissioners that the Labour party has won.
"It's further evidence that we are the party of law and order so I'm very pleased with the result.”
In March, Mr Foster won a legal battle over who should have the powers to scrutinise and set budgets for, West Midlands Police.
Judges at the Court of Appeal ruled that a process to scrap the role had been unlawful due to a lack of consultation.
The Home Office had applied for permission to dissolve the role and merge its powers with the office of the West Midlands mayor.
Speaking after the mayoral vote results were revealed, Mr Starmer said the party will have a “great advantage” as both the mayor and PCC roles are now held by Labour.
Richard Parker was elected as the region’s mayor in dramatic fashion after six out of seven local authorities conducted vote checks and a full recount was ordered in Coventry.
It would have come as a huge blow to the Conservatives, who suffered heavy losses in English local elections.
Incumbent Andy Street had been in office since 2017 and was seeking a third term.
Mr Starmer added: ” We've now got two very good leaders in the West Midlands elected in with their mandate.
“They will now work together alongside what I hope will be an incoming Labour government. That will be very good for everybody across the West Midlands."
The former mayor Andy Street, told his followers on X, formerly known as Twitter: “It has been my honour to serve citizens in the West Midlands for the last seven years, and I hope I have done it with dignity and integrity.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together and I hope my successor can build upon it.”
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