Reform UK accused of ‘breaking tradition’ in appointing Walsall Mayor

Members of Reform UK have been accused of ‘bypassing Walsall tradition ‘ in the appointment of the town’s Mayor.

At the first meeting of full council on Monday, May 18, Reform member Councillor Alan Fleming was appointed as Mayor of Walsall for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

Also nominated for the position was Councillor Khizar Hussain, deputy leader of the Walsall Community Independent (WCI) group at the council.

In nominating Councillor Hussain, WCI leader Councillor Aftab Nawaz called for ‘traditions to be respected’.

He said that in the past members have been chosen for Mayor based on their length of service as a councillor, rather than their political group.

Councillor Nawaz said: “This chamber and this town is about tradition, convention, culture and heritage. We have elected mayors on a non-political basis, because they have served on this council for many many years. It’s been a tradition that seniority takes precedent.

“I’ve got no doubt that the gentleman nominated by Reform is a nice person. This isn’t a personal issue against him, this is an issue that the person hasn’t had the years that others have had.”

Councillor Nawaz added that there were three members in the chamber who had done more years than anybody else – Councillor Hussain, Conservative group leader Councillor Adrian Andrew, and Councillor Carl Creaney of the Reform group.

Councillor Nawaz added: “Even by tradition on your side you haven’t chosen the person who’s done most years as a councillor. This is a choice between picking somebody politically or because we believe in the tradition, culture and the heritage of this town.

“I move Councillor Hussain not only because he’s a good man and great councillor, I move him because the principle of seniority is sacred. It only gets overridden when it’s a matter of taking control. Do you decide on heritage or politics because you want one of your own in there?”

In the named vote, all members of opposition parties voted for Councillor Hussain, as well as former Reform member Robin Perry who was suspended from the party just hours before the meeting.

All Reform members present voted in favour of Councillor Fleming to become Mayor, resulting in his appointment.

Councillor Rose Martin, Conservative ward member for Pelsall, said: “If Reform had any respect for the town, they wouldn’t have done this tonight.

“Walsall has a long history. The mace was given by King Charles II after Cromwell. Our history goes back to the black death in 1349, Edward III and Henry VIII. It has a tremendous history.

“The role of mayor is non-political and it respects the longest serving councillor. These traditions are for all the people of Walsall and not just the people who voted Reform.”