Labour are no longer the official opposition group at Walsall Council after a group of independents overtook them.
Walsall Independent Group now has 12 members, surpassing the Labour group’s membership of 11.
Leader Councillor Aftab Nawaz described the move as ‘full circle’ after previously heading the Labour group until 2023. He is one of seven councillors who have quit the group since then over Keir Starmer’s stance on the war in Gaza.
The labour group is now led by Councillor Matt Ward.
Councillor Nawaz’s group has also been strengthened by three former members of the Walsall Conservative group who quit in response to the ‘divisive rhetoric’ of the national party and the controversial candidate selection process.
It is the first time that the Labour Party isn’t one of the two major parties at Walsall Council.
It means that the two groups will swap places in the council chamber for the final meeting of full council on Monday, April 13.
Councillor Nawaz said: “The Labour Party for some time now has failed to speak up and stand up for the people of Walsall and it has been the Walsall Independent Group that have consistently challenged the Conservative administration with Notices of Motion on important community issues.
“Walsall Independent Group will now be the official opposition and although this is the last meeting of this municipal year, we are proud of the achievement and humbled by the responsibility.”
Councillor Nawaz registered Walsall Community Independents with the Electoral Commission in November 2025.
The party will have 20 candidates across eight wards for the all out elections on May 7.
Councillor Nawaz added: “The two-party system is not working in Walsall and at the local elections in May 2026 we will be asking residents to support the Walsall Community Independents as a true, grassroots voice of the people of Walsall and to support our progressive, left of centre socialist policies.
“Unlike Labour, Conservatives and other national parties, we will represent and speak for the residents of Walsall not for out-of-touch national parties in Westminster.
“The people of Walsall demand local politicians put people before party and that is exactly what Walsall Community Independents is about. In the council chamber we will be doing exactly this.”
In response to the move, Councillor Ward said: “This situation isn’t about voters changing their minds at the ballot box, it’s the result of councillors elected under one party banner switching groups mid-term.
“Residents expect transparency and consistency, and it’s right they get the chance to pass their own judgement on this at the all out elections in May.
“Labour remains focused on delivering for local people, holding the Conservative administration to account, and standing up for our communities. While others are focused on seating arrangements in the chamber, our focus continues to be the issues that matter most to residents across Walsall.
“Ultimately, it will be voters, not internal reshuffles, who decide the future direction of the council.
“Labour councillors are working hard to deliver for residents, from securing investment in community safety to improving district centres and getting new equipment to tackle fly tipping. We are focused on delivering for all of Walsall, not cheap political point scoring.”
Walsall Council’s 60 members are now formed of 27 Conservatives, 12 Walsall Independent Group members, 11 Labour, nine independents, and one Advance UK member.
Comments
Add a comment