Reform UK Unveils Shadow Cabinet to Hold Birmingham's New Coalition to Account

What's happened

Following the historic local elections that left Birmingham City Council in no overall control, Reform UK has officially established its shadow cabinet. As the largest single party on the council, our group will act as the official opposition to the newly formed minority coalition of Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Independents.

According to Birmingham Live, Reform UK Birmingham group leader Cllr Jex Parkin has appointed nine shadow cabinet members to mirror the council's executive portfolios. The team includes Cllr Alan Feeney covering City Services and Digital, and Cllr Cherie Waddingham taking on Housing. Cllr Parkin has promised a "relentless" focus on holding the new administration to account over the city's financial pressures, the equal pay crisis, and the ongoing waste dispute.

What it means for Erdington and Pype Hayes

For residents in Erdington and Pype Hayes, a structured shadow cabinet means your local concerns now have dedicated champions at the highest level of opposition. When we face issues with missed bin collections or the proliferation of poorly managed HMOs, we no longer have to shout into the void. We have specific shadow cabinet members whose sole job is to scrutinise the coalition's delivery in these exact areas.

This setup ensures that the new Lib Dem-Green leadership cannot quietly pass policies that negatively impact our suburbs without rigorous, public challenge. It means every penny spent by the council will be double-checked by an organised opposition demanding value for taxpayers.

Where I stand

I welcome the formation of this shadow cabinet. Birmingham deserves an opposition that is serious, organised, and ready to govern. Some critics argue that opposition parties exist only to block progress and score political points. I completely reject that. True opposition is about constructive, evidence-led scrutiny. It is about looking at the coalition's plans for our city and asking: "Is this the best use of Erdington's money?"

"We are not here to play party politics for its own sake; we are here to ensure the basics—like clean streets and sound finances—are finally delivered."

I respect that the new coalition leadership, under Cllr Roger Harmer, has a difficult job ahead. But respect does not mean a free pass. We will be straight-talking and ward-first in our approach, ensuring that the promises made to fix our broken services are actually kept.

What happens next

The shadow cabinet is already getting to work. In the upcoming full council meetings, our team will be pressing the new administration to formally set out its priorities and, crucially, its timescales for delivery. We will be demanding immediate answers on how the coalition plans to resolve the protracted bin strike and balance the council's precarious budget.

My office will be working closely with the shadow cabinet to feed in the specific data and casework we gather from Erdington and Pype Hayes, ensuring our local voice is amplified in the council chamber.

Have your say

Do you think a strong shadow cabinet will force the council to improve its services? I want to hear your views. Please register on the site, leave a comment below, and vote in our latest ward forum poll. If you have specific concerns you want me to raise with our new shadow cabinet members, get in touch today.

Source: Birmingham Live