Walsall Conservatives in perilous position as three councillors resign from the party

Councillor Gaz Ali and Councillor Amo Hussain, both representing Birchills Leamore ward, and Councillor Izzy Hussain of the Blakenall ward, all resigned on January 13.

In a joint statement they said the choice to resign was not a ‘reflection of the leadership in Walsall’ but a number of other factors.

They said the ‘treatment’ of fellow councillors by the Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association, such as Councillor Keith Sears, ‘cannot be overlooked’.

They are also becoming ‘increasingly concerned with the direction and rhetoric’ of the national party which ‘appears divisive and risks marginalising communities’.

The resignations come after a meeting of Walsall council on Monday, January 12.

One of the items on the agenda was to acknowledge and congratulate Councillor Keith Sears for reaching 50-years of unbroken service as a councillor.

Members were full of praise for Councillors Sears, but many also took the opportunity to call out the association’s decision to not approve him as a candidate in the May elections as ‘disgraceful’ and ‘reprehensible’.

Councillor Sears is one of nine councillors who haven’t been chosen as a candidate for the upcoming all-out elections.

Councillor Gaz Ali and Councillor Amo Hussain were among those deselected.

All nine that were rejected appealed the decision, and all but two appeals were upheld.

However they were all later refused once again by the association.

Councillor Amo Hussain is currently the portfolio holder for internal services. His resignation means a vacancy will now be available on the cabinet.

Having lost seven members in total over the last 12 months, the Walsall Conservatives are barely hanging onto their majority with just 31 seats out of 60 at the council.

If any further Tories decide to quit the party, the authority could fall into the position of no overall control.

In a joint statement, Councillors Amo Hussain, Gaz Ali and Izzy Hussain, said: “After several weeks of careful reflection and personal consideration, we have taken the decision to resign from the Conservative Party with immediate effect.

“We want to make it absolutely clear that this decision is not a reflection on the leadership in Walsall, with whom we share mutual respect and a positive working relationship.

“Our decision is driven by a number of factors. First and foremost is the treatment of several of our colleagues within the Aldridge and Brownhills Conservative Association. The exclusion of good, hard-working councillors, individuals who have given years of loyal service, has been deeply troubling.

“In particular, the failure to approve respected councillors such as Keith Sears, who has dedicated over 50 years of service to Walsall and to the Conservative Party, is something we cannot overlook.

“We are also increasingly concerned about the direction of the national Conservative Party. The tone and rhetoric emerging from parliamentary leadership appear divisive and risk marginalising communities.

“We have always believed that politics should bring people together, and that the party should be inclusive and unifying. Regrettably, this is no longer a position we feel able to align ourselves with.

“Our commitment is, and always has been, to serve every resident of Walsall. We believe in uniting our communities and working in the best interests of the British people—and especially the people of Walsall whom we are proud to represent.

“Our priority remains serving residents with integrity, fairness, and respect, and we will continue to do so outside of any party affiliation.”

The Conservative Party and Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association have been approached for comment by the LDRS.