A fierce political dispute in Dudley has escalated into accusations of gaslighting and misogyny, centring on the future of a local health centre and the language used to describe a Labour MP.
Accusations fly over 'wretched woman' remark
The controversy surrounds the Ladies Walk centre in Sedgley, where a deal to secure its future was recently announced. The clash intensified when Conservative candidate Bill Etheridge described Labour MP Sonia Kumar as a 'wretched woman' in a social media video, accusing her of lying about Tory plans for the facility.
In an unexpected intervention, Reform UK councillor Shaun Keasey defended Ms Kumar, condemning the Conservative attacks. "More gaslighting from the Conservatives and in my opinion seriously over the top misogynistic bullying, the language they are using is just unacceptable," Cllr Keasey stated.
The battle for Ladies Walk's future
The core of the dispute lies in the centre's lease, which is due to expire in March 2026. After months of negotiation between Dudley Council and landlords Aviva, a new lease agreement was confirmed to keep both health and library services at the site.
However, Cllr Keasey pointed to an email from a senior council officer dated 28 November 2024, which sought support "in finding a new location for the Sedgley Library at Ladies Walk." An attached document outlined efforts to date to locate a replacement site.
"The council were searching for a replacement site – they owe Sonia Kumar an apology," Keasey argued. "The only reason the Conservatives got scared into actually trying to keep services at Ladies Walk was because they saw the public outrage."
Conservatives defend 'rough and tumble' politics
Dudley's Conservative leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, defended the council's actions, explaining that officers were prudently exploring alternatives while lease talks were ongoing. "If for example those talks had stalled or failed, then Keasey would have been the first to jump up and down asking why we hadn't tried to find alternative provision," he said.
He also dismissed the criticism of Etheridge's language. "Politics is a rough and tumble environment. When Tories have been called scum and worse by Labour figures, I hardly think Bill's language warrants Keasey getting his knickers in a twist."
Bill Etheridge, a former UKIP MEP now standing for the Conservatives in Sedgley, rejected the misogyny claims. "My criticism of Ms Kumar is nothing to do with her gender and everything to do with her repeated and public lies," he said. "The idea that someone whose political hero is Margaret Thatcher is a misogynist is ludicrous."
He also took aim at Cllr Keasey's motives, suggesting his defence of the Labour MP and use of "identity politics" might signal a future political switch.
The row highlights the increasingly bitter local politics surrounding a vital community asset, with accusations of sexism and bad faith now dominating the debate over the Ladies Walk centre's reprieve.
