The Conservative Party's grip on Walsall Council has been thrown into crisis following the dramatic resignation of three of its sitting councillors.
A Coordinated Departure
Councillors Gaz Ali and Amo Hussain, who both represent the Birchills Leamore ward, and Councillor Izzy Hussain of Blakenall ward, all resigned from the party on Monday, January 13, 2026. Their departure was announced in a powerful joint statement, marking a significant blow to the local Tory group just months before the all-out council elections in May.
The trio were clear that their decision was not a criticism of the local council leadership, with whom they said they shared a positive working relationship. Instead, they pointed to two major factors: the treatment of fellow councillors by their local party association and profound concerns about the direction of the national Conservative Party.
The Deselection Dispute That Sparked a Crisis
The immediate catalyst appears to be a bitter row over candidate selections for the upcoming elections. The Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association had refused to approve several sitting councillors as candidates, including the three who have now quit.
This controversial move also affected Councillor Keith Sears, a colleague celebrated just a day earlier for reaching an incredible 50 years of unbroken service on the council. During a full council meeting on January 12, members from across the political spectrum praised Councillor Sears but condemned the association's decision to block his candidacy as 'disgraceful' and 'reprehensible'.
In total, nine sitting Conservative councillors were initially rejected. Although seven successfully appealed the decision, the association later refused them all for a second time. The resigning councillors stated that the exclusion of such dedicated public servants was 'deeply troubling' and something they 'cannot overlook'.
Political Consequences and a Precarious Majority
The resignations have immediate and serious political ramifications. Councillor Amo Hussain's role as portfolio holder for internal services is now vacant, creating a gap in the council's cabinet.
More critically, the Walsall Conservative group has now lost seven members in the past year alone. This exodus leaves them clinging to power by the slimmest of margins, holding just 31 of the council's 60 seats. The authority is now on the brink of falling into 'no overall control' if any further Conservative members decide to leave the party.
In their statement, the former Conservative councillors also expressed growing alarm at the 'direction and rhetoric' of the national party, which they believe 'appears divisive and risks marginalising communities'. They emphasised their commitment to serving Walsall residents 'with integrity, fairness, and respect' as independent representatives.
The Conservative Party and the Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association have been approached for comment regarding these high-profile resignations.
