WOLVERHAMPTON, West Midlands, UK – 15:00PM BST, Sunday 8th May 2022

I wish to give my warmest personal congratulations, to the Conservative and Unionist Party’s Sohail Khan on his Re-Election as Councillor for the City of Wolverhampton Council ward of Tettenhall Regis on Thursday May 5th, 2022.

Regardless of your political afflation, anyone who is Elected and then Re-Elected to serve residents is very much respected in my eyes and I give him and his family my best wishes for the coming 12 months.

I of course also give my appreciation to Julian Donald of the Liberal Democrats and Christopher Brookes of the Green Party for participating on the ballot.

I thank my Agent Barbara Gwinnett for her as always brilliant support, her husband Don who took on the mantle as Candidate in Tettenhall Wightwick and Helen Lewis – all of whom have been utterly superb in the last few weeks with more than 2,000 Election Addresses posted alongside 1,000 Get Out The Vote Cards.

This is also extended to all those across Wolverhampton Labour for their assistance, as well as The Co-operative Party for their financial contribution and support too.

Most of all, my biggest thanks goes to the 1,107 residents of Regis who expressed their confidence and trust in me and the Labour and Co-operative Party, which percentage wise put me on 34.94% - which humblingly is our 2ND HIGHEST percentage result in Labour’s history in Regis!

Our percentage result is 2.05% down on 2018, which as a result of a lower turnout and the way which the Conservatives advanced in 2019 and 2021. BUT to achieve the percentage above, as well achieve over 1,000 votes for the 2nd straight year AND to SLASH the Conservatives lead in 2021 of 1,080 votes and 28.69% to 507 and 15.99% in 12 months, is both a tremendous advance for my party and sends a serious warning and message to the Government that the people of Aldersley, Claregate and North Tettenhall aren’t happy!

This was summed up by Labour across our city with us winning 17 of the 20 wards, resulting in the same performance as 2018. I am of course saddened with the loss of Bushbury North and the exceptional voice of Alan Butt who was an incredible champion for a wonderful community and I pay tribute to him for his constant support. I’m proud to call Alan a friend.

However I was thrilled (as per the above image!) with us GAINING Merry Hill ward for only the 2ND TIME EVER; not least with a win of 6 votes by Carol Hyatt! This extraordinary result has no doubt sent the Conservatives here in the city into complete disarray - not least through a tweet from our leader Ian Brookfield following Friday’s Labour Group meeting; and that knowing that they Regained the seat won in 2016 last year by 677 votes and by a lead of 19%.

For that to be overturned in 12 months very much brings the other 2 seats there, along with Penn which Celia Hibbert increased her win from 20 to 290 right into play within 2023’s All Out Elections, as on the new Boundaries which as stated with glee in January had me successfully contribute to changing three ward names!

On next year, the results this week present me with a considerable number of options to consider regarding where I could stand, if re-adopted on the Panel of Candidates. Unless my job post the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games would bar me from running, I do confirm my intention is very much to seek Election as part of Labour’s 60 strong team on May 4th, 2023.

And as a member of the group’s Local Government Committee, I join my colleagues in an agreed view back in February to ensure that West Midlands Labour enables us, to begin the Selection Processes as soon as possible.

Knowing as to my reflections and thoughts on 2021’s torrid results and the place it left us in, I feel immensely optimistic about what the future holds for our party; both across our city and the West Midlands. The results across the Black Country, Birmingham, Redditch, Rugby and Worcester are deeply encouraging knowing of 12 months ago and are positive steps on the road back to regional and national power.

Helping to seek that power and change lives, is what will be at the heart of my soon-to-be ignited campaign for Young Labour UK’s West Midlands Representative as announced on February 25^th and I very much invite all Young Labour groups, Constituency Labour Party’s and Trade Unions (not least my own in Community the Union) across the region, to consider the plan I am putting forward so our party’s work across our region is strengthened and has Unity at its heart. 3 YL/CLP’s need to nominate to get me on the ballot by June 17^th’s deadline and my inbox is open in wishing to persuade colleagues to that and support me.

Finally, I want to give my wholehearted congratulations to all those I know across the UK who were deemed “Duly Elected” over the last few days! Even if I am part of a small number who didn’t hear those words, I have been beaming over the successes of party colleagues; not least those fellow Young Members who will now serve people across their communities and bring such unique experience to local authorities up and down the land.

Particular shoutouts have go to fellow Sheffield Hallam University Alumni in Laura-Lunn Bates in Kew ward, Southport and Nabeela Mowlana in Park and Arbourthrone, Sheffield alongside fellow Young Fabian member Kira Lewis in Higham Hill ward, Waltham Forest, Simran Cheema and Connor Horton, just across the way in Willenhall South ward, Walsall and fellow Wolves fan Adrian Hughes in Upper Gornal and Woodsetton ward, down the road in Dudley.

All of you will be absolutely stellar in serving the people and I cannot wait to see the impact which you will make.

On that and after a bit more sleep, I massively look forward to the coming months, with May 16th seeing me return as a Solutions for the Planet BIG Ideas judge for a 3rd straight year, which delightfully will be in person here in Wolverhampton, alongside volunteering at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant with the National Citizen Service (NCS), getting started on Wolverhampton Wanderers Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group for the 2022/2023 Season, finally ending the 3 year wait to return to the British Grand Prix, in the colours of the Pink and Blue as a Silverstone Race Maker and being part of the Launch of Changing Our Lives Colouring Between The Lines a few weeks later at the Black Cultural Archives.

All this alongside the phenomenal Birmingham 2022 Festival and the excitement of the Games between July 28th-August 8th and completing my Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at the Organising Committee, will create many more memories and undoubtedly opportunities.

And on the back of me taking a mega step towards my dream of serving Wulfrunians, I know it will be truly worth it and I know that my late brother Kieran, today looks down with even greater pride.

NOTE: Declaration of The Result of Poll

Election on Thursday May 5th, 2022 of a Councillor, to serve for the City of Wolverhampton Council ward of Tettenhall Regis

Votes Cast: 3,169

Ballot Papers Issued: 3,184

Turnout: 34.18%

Votes and Percentages Per Candidate (Changes on 2018):

Sohail Khan – The Conservative Party Candidate: 1,614 – 50.93% (-0.85%)

KASHMIRE HAWKER – Labour and Co-operative Party: 1,107 – 34.94% (-2.05%)

Julian Donald – Liberal Democrat: 241 – 7.60% (+0.33%)

Chris Brookes – Green Party: 207 – 6.53% (+2.57%)

ENDS