Sharon Osbourne described as ‘passionate advocate’ for Birmingham amid invite to stand in local elections

The Labour leader of Birmingham Council made the comments after the Conservative group wrote an open letter inviting the wife of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy to stand for the party – if she decides to move back to the city.

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It followed Sharon reportedly commenting on social media that she was considering a return and might put herself up for election in May.

In the letter, Conservative group leader Robert Alden wrote: “Your voice, with its no-nonsense style and global profile, could be a powerful force for positive change here.

“Moreover, your family’s deep roots in our city through your late husband, the Aston-born legend Ozzy Osbourne, and Black Sabbath, make you part of Birmingham’s story in a way few others can claim.

“If standing as a councillor isn’t the path you ultimately choose, we’d still be thrilled to collaborate with you.

“Birmingham needs fresh energy, strong leadership and people unafraid to speak out.”

Coun Alden added the group remains focused on ‘cleaning up’ the city, restoring weekly bin collections, fixing potholes and protecting green spaces.

He also said the Conservatives have been calling to preserve Brum’s historic spots such as The Crown, known as the pub where Black Sabbath played their first gig.

“If you’re serious about rolling up your sleeves (or even half-serious!), please get in touch,” his letter to Sharon read. “We’d love to discuss how we can work together to deliver a cleaner, safer, prouder city for everyone.”

Asked this week whether he’d like to see Sharon Osbourne representing the city as a councillor, council leader John Cotton said: “I think Sharon’s great.

“I’ve had the real pleasure of meeting Sharon on a number of occasions.

“She’s a huge advocate for Birmingham, clearly passionate about the place the same way that Ozzy was and all the other lads of Black Sabbath are.

“I don’t know whether Sharon possibly meets the electoral registration requirements in Birmingham to stand.

“But whatever Sharon’s doing, I know she’s going to continue to be a great advocate for Birmingham and shout up for the place – and rightly so.”

According to the Local Government Association, anyone wishing to becoming a councillor must be registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked, or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

‘Ambitious for Birmingham’s future’

Birmingham City Council this week revealed details of its proposed budget for the next financial year, with the Labour-run authority saying it is no longer ‘bankrupt’.

Cotton said in a statement that a £300 million budget gap had been closed while equal pay liabilities had also been tackled.

“Thanks to the decisive, tough action we took to get the council back on track, the ‘bankrupt Birmingham’ tag is now a thing of the past,” he said.

“I’m ambitious for Birmingham’s future.

“Now we will step up our work with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Government to invest in our communities, delivering the homes, jobs and services that the people of this city deserve.”

But the council still faces pressing challenges, such as the disruption and rising costs from the ongoing bins strike.

The bins dispute between the council and Unite the union was initially sparked by the loss of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role.

The past 12 months or so have seen striking workers claim they face a pay cut of £8,000 – a figure the council has disputed.

The council has insisted that “fair and reasonable” offers were put on the table in 2025 before negotiations came to an end in the summer, with the authority saying it had ‘reached the absolute limit of what we can offer’ amid equal pay fears.

When it comes to The Crown, Coun Cotton said this week that discussions around its future were “ongoing”.

He previously described Station Street, where the pub is based, as a “landmark part of the city and an important gateway to Birmingham”.