'Bribe' allegations in battle for Dudley
Plus: Workers Party suspend their campaign in Sutton amid claims of violence
Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Thursday briefing.
With it being polling day we have one last piece of election news to bring you before the results arrive later tonight. And it’s a biggie. We’ve listened to allegations of ‘political bribery’ in the fractious contest in Dudley, relaying them to you in today’s newsletter. Read on to find out more.
Elsewhere we report on an aborted campaign in Sutton, after disturbing reports of violence, and financial news from a massive Midlands housing association.
Speak soon.
Brum in Brief
🗳️ Bombshell ‘election bribe’ claim from Dudley: The contest for the Dudley parliamentary seat has been one long fraught with bad relations. Earlier in the campaign we covered Tory candidate Marco Longhi making a public plea to Reform to stand down their candidate, Andrew Southall who hit back, telling The Dispatch: “What gives Marco the right to think he should be the only right-of-centre candidate?” In the latest twist, Southall has now made the bombshell claim that representatives for Longhi tried to ‘bribe’ him to stand down before he had submitted his candidacy papers at the start of the general election. Southall spoke to The Dispatch to allege that representatives from Turning Point UK, the right-wing activist organisation of which Longhi is UK president, reached out to meet with him in an attempt to convince him to stand down. In return, Southall alleges, they offered him a potential role in Longhi’s office should he win the battle for Westminster as well as a safe seat in the 2026 council election. “I feel sad about this,” Southall says, adding he rejected the offer point blank. “What they’ve done is desperate and people need to know.” The Dispatch reached out to Longhi but he did not respond.
🛑 Sutton candidate ends campaign: A parliamentary candidate in Sutton Coldfield has ended his campaign after his son was attacked while canvassing for him. Wajad Burkey, a Workers Party of Great Britain candidate, said his son was attacked on Sunday with a baseball bat, by a group of eight people who arrived in cars and on motorbikes. “I have suspended my campaign as I am fearful frankly for my life,” Mr Burkey said in a statement issued by the party. Full story with George Galloway quotes.
🏡 £200m loan for housing association: A Midlands housing association has agreed to a new loan from NatWest allowing it to continue with plans to build 1,300 affordable homes across the West Midlands. This is part of a broader plan to have built 11,000 homes by 2032 with 65% at social and affordable rent. Amanda Swann, Director of Development at Bromford said: “With demand for affordable housing showing no signs of decreasing, we are committed to playing our part in tackling the housing crisis by continuing to build affordable homes.” All details.
🏳️🌈 Pride bus returns: A rainbow-coloured bus is now back on all Birmingham routes following a threat to staff. A spokesperson for bus route operator National Express said the bus would return after a risk assessment. Previously, the bus had been temporarily removed from the 60 route. Pride-coloured buses run all year round in Birmingham, after its introduction in the city in 2019. Full story.
🎥 Barber Lates back: With the Barber Institute recently reopening, Barber Lates is back for the late-night culture vultures among our readership. On 11 July, lucky punters can wander through the gallery and then watch a series of queer short films, curated by CineQ, inspired by the current exhibition Claudette Johnson: Darker Than Blue. It's all free but booking is essential via a click.
💐 Botanical Garden lates: Apparently, it’s late-night week at Dispatch towers — okay, we’ll admit it we’re gearing up for all-night election coverage this evening, so we might be a little bit off our usual rhythms — but we thought this might be worth sharing. This Friday the Botanical Gardens have a summer lates party with music, street food and drinks from The Unique Experience and Loki Wine. Only £8.50 full price, with huge discounts for members and family groups. More here.
This is really interesting & in public interest but aren't news organisations not supposed to report on campaigns or election issues on polling day or is it just broadcasters that applies to?
Fingers crossed Longhi loses his seat and TPUK have no influence in our politics anymore.