Sandwell’s Conservatives have hit back at claims they have ‘split personalities’ after the Tory MP for West Bromwich East, Nicola Richards, voted for a 4. 99 per cent council tax rise for Dudley. 
Labour councillors took the opportunity to attack their party rivals as they voted through an increase of nearly three per cent at the council’s budget setting meeting. 
Cllr Liam Preece said Tory criticism of the council ignored the fact that Ms Richards is also a councillor on Conservative-run Dudley council which voted through a higher percentage increase on Monday evening.
In a pointed jibe, he said: “Curiously, according to their website, a certain Cllr Richards was present at that meeting who I can only assume voted for it as she is a member of the controlling group.
“Now this Cllr Richards bears a striking resemblance to the member of parliament for West Bromwich East.”
In a question to Cllr Wasim Ali, Sandwell’s cabinet member for resources and core services, he asked: “With Shaun Bailey MP for West Bromwich West making the comments he has recently and the actions of Cllr Richards taking the action she did in her role as a councillor in Dudley, does Cllr Ali agree with me that the Tory party needs to stop suffering from a split personality syndrome when it comes to council tax and get their story straight because the people of Sandwell have a right to know especially with elections coming up?”
Cllr Ali said he was shocked Ms Richards voted for the rise adding Conservative-run Walsall council had increased council tax by 4.99 per cent alongside a rise in councillors’ allowances.
But hitting back at her critics, Ms Richards defended voting for Dudley’s tax increase saying in real terms it was lowest in the Black Country and she praised the Tory group’s record on services and investment.
“Contrast this with Sandwell, where Labour have overcharged and under-delivered for years. Their only track record is one of waste and mismanagement of the public purse,” she said.
“There is no opposition on Sandwell Council to scrutinise and hold Sandwell Labour to account. They aren’t delivering value for money so have no right to raise council tax with virtually zero debate or challenge whilst simultaneously offering nothing back to the people of Sandwell.
“If residents elect Conservatives to Sandwell Council in May, we will provide a tough opposition and make sure taxpayers’ money is spent far better like in our neighbouring Conservative controlled councils.”
She was supported by Mr Bailey, who poured scorn on Labour’s running of Sandwell, saying: “As the Member of Parliament for West Bromwich West, it is my duty to represent local residents of Wednesbury, Oldbury and Tipton and hold Labour leadership of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to account.”
Attacking its record, he added: “A Labour group with a 50-year record of failure should not be concerning itself with the actions of neighbouring councils. Let’s remember, Conservative-led Walsall and Dudley Council manage to get their bins collected on time, have secured record investment into their boroughs and have got their Business Support Payments out on time.”