Walsall Reform leadership accused of abandoning ‘democracy and free speech’

A political spat has followed the resignation of a third Reform councillor since the May elections. 

Councillor Bella Simon, ward member for Short Hearth, has accused the Reform leadership in Walsall of abandoning the principles of ‘democracy and free speech’. 

The now-independent member was removed from the group in July. She claimed in a social media post this week that she was booted after she tried to ‘defend councillors’ rights’. 

The post follows the resignation of Councillor Daniel Rollinson from the Reform group earlier this week. 

Councillor Simon said Reform ‘tried the same’ against Councillor Rollinson, but he ‘refused to be controlled like a puppet or follow a corrupt leadership’. 

Councillor Rollinson, ward member for New Invention, is now serving residents as an independent. 

In her attack against Reform, Councillor Simon added that what’s happening locally ‘isn’t new’ and describes it as the ‘same old broken cycle’. 

Councillor Elaine Williams, the leader of Walsall Council, has been approached for comment.

Councillor Rollinson and Simon are just two of the three Reforms councillors to become independents in the four months since the local elections. 

Former Reform member Councillor Robin Perry, for the Harden, Goscote and Ryecroft ward, was suspended from Reform in May in a row over discrimination.