The sad news of the death of Councillor Bert Turner has been announced this morning.

Bert represented Bilston East ward on the local council for many years and devoted his whole life to serving the people of Bilston and Bradley.  He was a key figure in the fight to save Bilston steelworks many years ago and formed a powerful political partnership with his brother Dennis who was the MP for Wolverhampton South East for many years.

Bert was a great source of common sense and good judgement and I valued his wisdom, support and advice over the years.  He will be greatly missed by all of us in the local Labour Party and by the local community.  Bert always referred to Bradley as “God’s country” and he fought hard for the area over the years.  I will miss him hugely and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kath and their family.