Reform takes Walsall and Sandwell amid Labour losses

Reform UK has taken control of Sandwell and Walsall councils in a historic win for the party and a disastrous 24 hours for Labour. Nigel Farage's party won 37 seats in Sandwell, ending Labour's 47-year reign at the authority. In Walsall, Reform secured 40 of 60 seats to seize control. Former Conservative leader Mike Bird lost his seat by just seven votes. Reform also gained seats at the two other Black Country councils where elections took place. Dudley remained with no majority party and Labour held Wolverhampton, but with a reduced number of councillors. Former Sandwell Council leader Kerrie Carmichael lost her Blackheath seat, with three seats in the ward won by Reform. Successful candidate Michael Cooper, a market trader of 45 years, said the win "hadn't been personal". "It's been a difficult battle and my feet are very sore," he said, adding: "I've walked and walked and knocked many, many doors." He said he had received a "fantastic response" from locals "and that made it worthwhile". "They've supported me, and I feel now it's time for me now to do the same for them." His priorities were now to be "transparent and accessible", he added. In Walsall, the Conservatives lost 26 se