Cllr Qadar Zada is to step down as the leader of the Labour Group on Dudley Council once a new leader has been elected.

He will remain in post as a Councillor for Netherton, Woodside and St. Andrews Ward. Cllr Zada said:

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be leader of Dudley Labour Group. At the outset, I outlined my vision to lead a campaigning and community led party, one relevant to the needs of our communities the people of Dudley.

“Thursday’s election results [in the St James’ ward] show that this approach is working, and that Dudley Labour Party continues to gain the trust of our communities.

“I started in politics as a teenager, and came to be one of the youngest members on the Council. I have served in the Cabinet in a number of roles and eventually became the Leader of the group and the Councils first ever leader of colour. Achievements unheard of for someone who was born and bred from one of the most deprived wards in the Borough.

“Whilst I have loved every minute of serving our community, it is entirely fair to say that doing so whilst holding down a challenging full-time job has not always been easy and it has been at the expense of taking time away from loved ones to do something I love.

“As my next professional chapter will take me away for longer periods, I can no longer stretch the patience of those who I love and neither do I want to compromise on the quality of leadership I provide. On that basis I’ve taken the decision to stand down as Group Leader.

“This is for the benefit of myself, my family and the residents I represent. I look forward to returning to front line politics when my personal circumstances allow.

“I admire deeply my Labour group colleagues who have worked with me so hard to gain the trust of our residents and I look forward to working with the new Leader as we continue this journey and will continue to serve my local community with the same dedication”

The Labour Group will now begin the process of selecting a new Group Leader ahead of next May’s Dudley-wide local elections.