Birmingham Labour has blocked Allens Cross residents from voting for a new councillor, despite Labour Councillor Jack Deakin’s near-total absence from duties. Cllr Deakin, who reportedly moved to the Leeds area in 2023, attended only two council meetings in the past year (Full Council on 9 July 2024 and Health and Social Care Scrutiny on 4 December 2024).
A by-election was imminent, as Cllr Deakin faced disqualification for non-attendance over a 6 month period. However, Birmingham Labour intervened, outrageously claiming that Cllr Deakin’s presence 2 days before the disqualification date, as a member of the public at a committee meeting he does not serve on, and could not speak or vote at, counts as fulfilling his councillor duties. This move has halted the by-election, leaving residents without proper representation.
Cllr Robert Alden (Con, Erdington), Leader of the Birmingham Local Conservatives , condemned Labour’s tactics, stating,
Birmingham Labour is running scared of democracy. In April, they used procedural tricks to dodge debate on the bin strike’s impact - rubbish and rats plaguing our city. Now, they’re denying Allens Cross a by-election to avoid facing residents furious about their bankruptcy.
Cllr Ewan Mackey (Con Sutton Roughley), Deputy Leader of the Local Conservative Group, added,
For a year, Labour refused to let Cllr Deakin resign, despite his illness and relocation. They even dragged him to a meeting he wasn’t part of, claiming it counts as work. This is a shameful neglect of their duty to both the councillor and Allens Cross residents, who Labour would rather leave unrepresented for three years than allow a democratic vote.
Cllr Alden concluded,
Birmingham Labour is terrified of facing voters in 2025. Come 2026, residents will have their chance to kick them out.
