Reform UK is set to name its Birmingham group leader within 24 hours after emerging as the largest bloc on the city council. The party won 22 of the 101 seats contested in last week's elections, with two results still pending as of Monday afternoon, May 11.
Election Results
The Greens secured second place with 19 seats, followed by Labour with 17, the Conservatives with 16, and the Liberal Democrats with 12. Thirteen independent councillors were also elected.
No single party achieved an outright majority, and even a coalition of two parties would fall short of the 51 seats needed to control the council. Horse-trading between parties is now underway to determine which coalition will take power.
Leadership Announcement Imminent
A Reform UK spokesman stated: "We will have a group leader within the next 24 hours who will make our position clear." One leading contender is Jex Parkin, who represents Kingstanding. Parkin has pledged to take immediate action against Birmingham's Clean Air Zone, which charges older, more polluting vehicles.
Dr Jason Lowther, director of the Institute of Local Government Studies at the University of Birmingham, commented on the political landscape: "I'm not aware of coalitions involving Reform UK at present in English councils. In most cases, they govern with a simple majority, and in three cases they run councils as the largest party but without a majority."
He added: "In Cornwall, although Reform are the largest party, the council is run by the Liberal Democrats with independent councillors. The Green Party is the largest party with minority control in a few councils and is part of several coalitions, mainly with Lib Dems but sometimes with Labour."
