Councillor Peter Drake, the former deputy leader of the Black Country Party on Dudley Council, has resigned from the party to sit as an independent. The decision, announced on 2 July 2026, stems from fundamental disagreements over the party's stance on immigration and multiculturalism.
Background and Political Journey
First elected in 2019 as a Labour councillor for Coseley East, Cllr Drake left Labour in early 2025 to join a group of independent councillors protesting Sir Keir Starmer's leadership and government policies. That group, led by former Dudley Labour leader Cllr Pete Lowe, later formed the left-leaning Black Country Party.
Cllr Drake served as deputy leader of the Black Country Party until his resignation. In a statement, he said: "I have huge respect for my colleagues with whom I collaborated as part of Dudley Independent Group after leaving Labour and then as part of The Black Country Party. However, it has become increasingly obvious that many of my beliefs and opinions do not align with those of The Black Country Party."
Reasons for Leaving
The Black Country Party holds progressive attitudes on migration, diversity and multiculturalism. Cllr Drake stated: "It is impossible to reconcile these with my concerns regarding the consequences of mass migration and reckless mismanagement of what is probably the largest movement of peoples in human history."
He acknowledged the party's dedication to protecting public services but said it is "wrong on the grim national issues of the current day." Cllr Drake added: "The strength of democracy is that we can blend our different outlooks into finding a path through the most dreadful of calamities. I will be working alongside political representatives across the Dudley borough to find those paths to a brighter future, but sadly not as a member for The Black Country Party."
Impact on Council Composition
Cllr Drake's resignation leaves the Black Country Party with only two sitting councillors: Cllr Pete Lowe, currently Dudley's mayor, and Cllr Steve Edwards. The party now has a reduced presence on the council, while Cllr Drake continues to represent Coseley East as an independent.
He concluded: "I will continue to work for the people of Coseley to the best of my ability as their councillor and do everything in my power to help improve their lives and the state of our community."
