Birmingham Local Conservatives yesterday submitted a formal complaint to the Standards Committee, calling out the Labour Administration for facilitating a shocking breach of public trust: allowing one of their own councillors, Cllr Jack Deakin, to continue in office while being almost entirely absent from both Council duties and his Allens Cross ward.
Evidence submitted shows that Cllr Deakin signed into the Annual General Meeting of the Council on Monday 20 May — yet never entered the Council Chamber, leaving immediately after signing the member’s attendance book. This follows a sustained absence stretching months, with his only other appearance being a brief attendance to a social care scrutiny committee in December to narrowly avoid disqualification under the six-month rule.
Despite these clear attempts to dodge accountability and mislead residents, Birmingham Labour has failed to act. Instead of ensuring proper representation for the people of Allens Cross, Labour have enabled and encouraged this deceit, putting their own party interest ahead of Brummies.
Cllr Ewan Mackey (Con, Sutton Roughley), Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Birmingham Local Conservatives, said:
This isn’t just about one councillor’s disgraceful conduct. This is about a Labour leadership that knew, looked the other way, and even facilitated Cllr Deakin's fly-by sign-in to collect £20,000 of allowance - paid for by the very residents Birmingham Labour continue to let down.
Multiple sources, including the Birmingham Dispatch, have confirmed that Cllr Deakin no longer lives in Birmingham, reportedly residing instead in Yorkshire. Residents in Allens Cross - one of the most deprived areas in the city - have effectively been left without representation during on going bin strikes, service cuts, and tax hikes, while Labour maintain his seat to avoid a by-election.
The Conservatives are calling for:
- An immediate investigation by the Standards Committee.
- A review of council attendance procedures to prevent abuse.
This Labour-run Council is bankrupt - financially and morally. At a time when trust in politics is at a low, Labour’s actions send a clear message: party loyalty matters more than public service.
The complaint cites breaches of the Nolan Principles of Honesty, Integrity and Accountability - the core standards expected of all public officials.
Residents deserve better. The Labour Party must stop hiding behind procedure. The people of Allens Cross deserve a voice fighting for them.
