Labour took a serious beating at the last round of local elections and are probably going to suffer the same fate again at next years local elections.

The resignation of a Labour councillor in the Dawley Magna parish in Telford has triggered an election which could see the balance of power tip out of Labour’s favour.

Telford & Wrekin was split into two separate constituencies to provide Labour with a safe seat.  The Telford constituency – where Dawley Magna lies – contains all the housing estates and is a traditional Labour heartland.  The Wrekin constituency consists of the old towns and rural parts of the borough which is traditionally a Conservative area.

Telford & Wrekin Council is run by a cabinet which is dominated by Labour councillors but indications are that Labour will lose the seat, possibly to a residents association candidate.  If they do lose the seat, Labour will only control 26 of the 54 seats meaning that a coalition of opposition councillors could oust the ruling Labour cabinet – who are doing a pretty crap job incidently – and lose Labour yet another English council.