Birmingham City Council has voted to retain its official City of Sanctuary status, rejecting a motion by the Reform UK group to withdraw from the movement. The decision came during a full council meeting on Tuesday, July 14, marking Reform's first significant action since the local elections in May.
Reform's Motion and Arguments
Reform councillors, now the official opposition with 22 seats, argued that the sanctuary status was 'gesture politics' and 'tripe'. Councillor Graham Green, Reform's shadow cabinet member for social justice and equalities, claimed the city council could barely look after 'born and raised' Brummies, let alone welcoming more people it could not support. He described a recent council event celebrating the renewal of the status as 'tripe' and called for the city to focus on housing and services for local residents.
Councillor Cherie Waddingham, representing Weoley and Selly Oak, backed Green, saying Birmingham's resources must be focused on local services due to immense challenges in housing and public services. Reform leader Councillor Jex Parkin added, 'All we are proposing is we put our people first - the people who live in Birmingham.'
Cross-Party Opposition
The motion triggered a furious reaction from Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors, who condemned it as 'misinformed', 'nonsense' and 'Trumpian'. Labour group leader Councillor Nicky Brennan said Reform could have discussed something meaningful that 'actually helps Birmingham', rather than 'this nonsense'. She highlighted that funding for refugee resettlement comes from the Home Office and is ringfenced: 'If Birmingham walks away from these programmes, that money doesn't suddenly become available to spend on housing, social care or street cleaning. It simply leaves Birmingham.'
Councillor Jane Baston, the city's new cabinet member for Equalities, Communities and Social Justice, made her maiden speech in the chamber, speaking of Birmingham as a city 'that welcomes and celebrates our diversity because we know that it is our strength'. She noted that since 2020, around 6,000 people fleeing war and injustice in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and other parts of the world had been supported to build new lives in Birmingham.
Support for Sanctuary Status
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Independent, said the status was not merely a 'badge' but a commitment, adding that financial woes and housing shortages 'are not the fault of families escaping conflict'. Councillor Nosheen Khalid, Independent, stated that 'putting Birmingham first' does not mean 'looking for someone else to blame'. Councillor Martin Brooks, Independent, spoke powerfully of the city's role in protecting those who fled the Srebrenica genocide, saying 'genocide doesn't start with obvious acts of violence. It starts with the othering of groups and communities.'
Councillor Izzy Knowles shared her personal experiences supporting a family who fled Ukraine, arguing that removing the status would do nothing to improve the housing crisis, solve the cost of living crisis, reduce waiting lists or fill a pothole.
Outcome
The motion was defeated, with only the Local Conservatives backing Reform. The vote reaffirms Birmingham's commitment to the City of Sanctuary movement, which helps ensure legal refugees and asylum seekers are supported. The movement has no direct cost implications for the council. This was the first meaningful full council meeting since the May 7 local elections, which saw Labour ousted from power after 14 years. A new coalition of Greens, Liberal Democrats and Better Birmingham Independents now leads as a minority administration.
