REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has spoken of her "disappointment" after the Tories lost control of the council.

She said some councillors who had lost seats were "true friends" and it was "very tough to see their hard work, passion and commitment not be reflected in the votes locally."

The Conservatives lost 11 seats - with Redditch Borough Council now made up of 21 Labour, 5 Conservatives and 1 Green councillor in a result which is a massive blow for the party.

Labour picked up nine seats and overall control - marking the first time Labour has taken control of the council since 2018.

Rachel Maclean MP, said: “I am of course disappointed Conservatives have lost control of Redditch Borough Council.

“This was a very difficult night for our party, as we expected after 14 years in government.

"Incumbent parties never do well in these circumstances.

"And on top of that, the boundary changes at a local level meant that every seat was contested, which is not normally how our elections happen in Redditch, so the results were very unpredictable.

“Conservative Councillors who lost their seats are true friends and it is very, very tough to see their hard work, passion and commitment not be reflected in the votes locally.

"From the conversations on the doorsteps with thousands of people I know that they made a difference in their areas and will be missed.

"They should be proud of what they have achieved.

“I remain proud of the Conservative administration’s record of delivery, from securing a £15.6 million Town Deal to making huge investments in play provision and parks across the town.

“However, voters have spoken, and I of course respect the decision they have made.

“I congratulate everyone who has been elected and I wish them well. It’s not easy to put yourself forward for election.

“Where there is agreement, I will work with the incoming Labour administration.

"But it remains my job as the local MP to hold them to account for the decisions that they make and that is what I will continue to do.”