The Green Party in Birmingham has chosen Julien Pritchard to lead its negotiations to try to find a way to break a deadlock over who runs the city council. Councillor Pritchard has been selected by the 19-strong Greens group as their leader.
The party secured the largest overall share of the vote across the city and emerged with 19 seats, second only to Reform, which holds 23 seats. Councillor Pritchard made clear his intention to seek a coalition with other like-minded groups. The Liberal Democrats, the Local Conservatives, and now the Greens have expressed a willingness to work together for the sake of the city.
Reform, the largest party, has ruled out joining forces with anyone else, leaving the door open for a progressive coalition to attempt to run the council after a fractured election outcome left no party in overall control. A critical deadline is approaching, with the full council meeting for the first time on May 19 to ideally elect a new council leader and cabinet to oversee council affairs.
Labour has yet to learn the identity of its group leader, with the decision being made by the national party, not local members. Councillor Pritchard was re-elected at a gathering of Greens in the city, their first formal meeting since seeing their number increase from two to 19 overnight.
He said afterward: “The recent council results show that residents want to see hope and change in Birmingham. As Green Party councillors, we are proud to represent the party that got the most votes from Brummies. However, it is also clear that no one party has support to govern alone.”
“We have an opportunity to show that groups with different ideas can come together and work in the interest of the residents that we are lucky to serve. We are ready to work with parties who share our values of a more hopeful, inclusive, and equal city and who wish to address the city’s priorities including:
- Resolving the bin strike with a fair deal for workers and residents.
- Putting the interests of residents and communities at the heart of the council and ensuring the council works in real partnership with residents.
- Being unflinching in our support for residents and communities no matter their gender, sexuality, or ethnic background, and committing to a vision of Birmingham guided by our global history as a diverse city.
- Creating safe streets, safe communities, and clean air to improve the health of residents that people of Birmingham need to thrive.
- Tackling the joint challenge of the cost-of-living and climate crises.
- Working hard to protect public services and public spaces, like our libraries, youth centres and parks, that so many families rely on.
“We look forward to working with other groups to bring back hope to Birmingham.”
The group occupies a significant swathe of a central belt running from north to south of the city. They include traditional eco Greens alongside councillors attracted to the party by its position on geopolitics. All the Green councillors elected are: Balsall Heath West - Duncan Ali; Billesley - Joe Peacock and Chris Garghan; Bordesley and Highgate - Ali Kazi; Bournbrook and Selly Park - Corinne Fowler and Jane Baston; Bournville and Cotteridge - Roxanne Green; Brandwood and Kings Heath - Jordan Phillip and Hamzah Sheikh; Druids Heath and Monyhull - Julien Pritchard; Hall Green North - Mansoor Qureshi and Haroon Salim; Handsworth - Ed Freshwater; Harborne - Kevin Carmody; Kings Norton South - Rob Grant; Ladywood - Siobhan Harper-Nunes and Raheem Humphreys; Stirchley - Kamel Hawwash; Tyseley and Hay Mills - Atikur Rahmann.
