Labour gained overall control of the council from the Conservatives, winning just enough seats to have a majority.[1] The Labour group leader, Chris Watkins, was formally appointed as leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 15 May 2024.[2]
Background
Nuneaton and Bedworth was a traditionally Labour council. From its creation up to 2008, the party held a majority on the council.[3] The Conservatives took control in 2008, but the council fell into no overall control in 2010,[4] and was retaken by Labour in 2012.[5]
Labour controlled the council until 2018, when it again fell into no overall control. The Conservatives gained the council in 2021, and retained control in 2022. In that election, the Conservatives gained 1 seat with 50.5% of the vote, Labour lost 2 with 34.7%, and the Green Party gained 1 with 14.0%.
Nuneaton and Bedworth usually elects its councillors in halves, on a 4-year cycle. However, following boundary changes, all councillors will be elected to the new wards.[6] All wards have 2 councillors. The change increases the number of councillors by 4.
