A group of six Dudley councillors has launched a new political movement aimed at shifting power away from Westminster and back into the hands of local people.
The Black Country Party was officially introduced on Friday (30th May) by councillors previously known as the Dudley Independent Group.
Significant representation already
They include Pete Lowe, Karen Westwood, Steve Edwards, Matt Cook, Peter Drake, and Karl Denning. Each councillor represents a different part of the borough and will now sit on Dudley Council under the new banner.
The party says it will campaign on everyday issues facing local residents, particularly those from working-class backgrounds who, they argue, have been sidelined by mainstream parties. According to the group, their decision to break away reflects growing frustration with a political system they feel no longer serves ordinary communities.
A shift from the traditional parties
Lowe, the group’s new leader and a former Labour member of over 40 years, said the formation of the Black Country Party was driven by the need to challenge what he described as “a broken model of politics”. He stepped down from Labour in January, citing long-standing concerns about direction and priorities. Westwood, now deputy leader, voiced similar reasons, saying policies had shifted too far from protecting the most vulnerable.
Among the areas now represented by Black Country Party councillors are Castle and Priory, Coseley, and Brierley Hill. The councillors say they will focus on tangible improvements – such as safeguarding local services, advocating for investment, and standing up for residents struggling with the cost of living.
Aims to rebuild trust
In a statement, the group said they want to “restore trust in local leadership” and build a movement that genuinely reflects the values and needs of the Black Country. They have urged the government to focus less on party lines and more on rebuilding communities from the ground up.
