The leader of the Liberal Democrats on Birmingham City Council is being lined up for the top political role as part of a left-leaning coalition being crafted in secret meetings, we are predicting today.
Negotiations under way between the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and a new Better Birmingham Independents group to form a new minority coalition were said to be 'very positive'. The groups were said to have reached the stage of agreeing a clear direction of travel, personnel and priorities.
A meeting to choose the next council leader was adjourned last week without a vote to allow time for continuing negotiations. We understand the re-adjourned meeting will take place next week.
Roger Harmer: The Unifying Choice
Roger Harmer, leader of the 12-councillor Liberal Democrats, was being tipped to be the unifying choice as leader. A well-respected councillor for Acocks Green, Coun Harmer has been a councillor since 1995 with periods out of office, and has been group leader since 2024. He is well-liked across the chamber and seen as a good orator and voice for Birmingham.
Julien Pritchard, leader of the bigger Green Party, with 19 councillors, was said to be willing to take on the deputy role instead of insisting on the top job. The coalition cabinet would also include members of the newly-formed, seven councillor strong 'Better Birmingham' group. Together the three groups would hold 38 seats on the 101-strong council - still well short of a majority coalition.
A new tier of deputy cabinet roles would be created as part of the deal. It would also chime with a pre-election pledge from Coun Pritchard that he would work with the Lib Dems if necessary to form an administration.
Path to Power
Their plans would only succeed if at least two other parties out of Labour, Reform UK and the Conservatives either backed Harmer for leader or abstained from voting against him. Opposition councillors would likely be offered scrutiny committee roles, providing a strong 'checks and balances' process.
But the tentative plan still relies on getting the backing of a majority of voting councillors on the 101-strong city council or, more likely, on two or more opposition groups deciding to abstain. Remaining Independents and the sole Workers' Party councillor, Shehryay Kayani, Bournville and Cotteridge, who together have seven seats, could also prove decisive.
Labour, led by Coun Nicky Brennan, Bournville and Cotteridge, has the third biggest number of councillors, 17, but have said they intend to abstain from the leadership vote to allow others to step forward.
Reform UK, led by Coun Jex Parkin, Kingstanding, is the biggest single party, with 23 councillors. Its position is uncertain but we understand discussions are under way that could see its members also decide to abstain - paving the way for the minority coalition to take control. Despite their relative electoral success, Reform has expressed its opposition to being part of any minority power sharing arrangements following the unfolding chaos at neighbouring Worcestershire County Council.
Meanwhile, the Local Conservatives are trying to suggest ways to ensure stability during the process to form a coalition and to remain part of the conversation. They have proposed a new 'Group Leaders’ Council' to provide 'stable, coordinated leadership' for the city.
Senior officers would meet with the group regularly to tackle the city’s most pressing financial, governance, and service delivery challenges. It would operate regardless of which group holds the administration, offering a consistent framework for strategic decision-making over the coming years, said Conservatives' leader Robert Alden.
Conservative Proposal for Stability
He said: “Birmingham residents deserve leadership that puts the city first. At a time of continued financial pressure, service challenges and political fragmentation, no single group can deliver the scale of change required in isolation. We need structured cooperation and mature dialogue across the Council chamber, not more division.”
"Birmingham is navigating one of the most difficult periods in its history," said Cllr Alden. "Birmingham City Council declared itself bankrupt in 2023, faces a 17-month long bin strike, is seeing family housing being converted into exempt accommodation at record rates, destroying neighbourhoods, and has roads left with more craters than the moon."
"With major financial recovery work, serious issues that need tackling, and ongoing government oversight, the city cannot afford prolonged instability or siloed decision-making." Coun Alden added: “We are committed to playing a constructive role in providing the stability and seriousness Birmingham needs. We urge all other political groups to engage positively with this proposal for the benefit of residents.”
Coun Harmer would not be drawn on a potential coalition other than to say 'positive' talks were under way.
