Starmer hails ‘phenomenal’ West Midlands result in shock victory over Tories

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer celebrates with newly elected Mayor of West Midlands Richard Parker (Jacob King/PA)

Labour’s shock victory in the West Midlands mayoral election was a “phenomenal result” which was “beyond our expectations”, leader Keir Starmer said, as the Conservatives were trounced in the local elections.

Tory candidate Andy Street had hoped to cling on in the West Midlands, but Labour challenger Richard Parker beat him with a majority of just 1,508 votes.