Ex-Reform councillors in Walsall launch new political group
Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 22:14 · Archive
Three former Reform councillors in Walsall have formed the Walsall People's Alliance opposition group.
Three former Reform councillors in Walsall have launched a new political group called the Walsall People's Alliance. Councillors Daniel Rollinson, Bella Simon and Robin Perry were each elected as Reform members in the May 2026 local elections but have since left or been suspended from the party.
Councillor Rollinson, ward member for New Invention, has been critical of Reform leader Councillor Elaine Williams. At a recent council meeting, he accused her of giving 'Keir Starmer a run for his money with the number of U-turns' and said the people of Walsall are 'living under a dictatorship'. Councillor Williams did not respond to the attack, though deputy leader Councillor Nicky Barker called for permission to publicly share emails between the councillors and the leadership, a request that was not granted.
Councillor Simon, ward member for Short Heath, was removed from Reform in July. She has since accused the party leadership of abandoning the principles of 'democracy and free speech'. Councillor Perry, ward member for Harden, Goscote and Ryecroft, was suspended shortly after the May elections and described Walsall Reform as 'like Mussolini's government'.
In launching their new group, the three former councillors pledged to stand for 'democracy, honesty, community first, unity and real change'. Despite these defections, Reform still holds a substantial majority on Walsall Council with 37 out of 60 seats.
How it is being reported
- Ex-Reform councillors in Walsall launch new political groupThe Walsall People’s Alliance was launched by Councillor Daniel Rollinson and Councillor Bella SimonBirminghamLive · 9 Oct, 16:23
- Ex-Reform councillors in Walsall launch new political groupReform still holds a large majority at the council with 37 out of 60 seats.Birmingham World · 9 Oct, 15:36
- Ex-Reform councillors in Walsall launch new political groupReform still holds a large majority at the council with 37 out of 60 seats.Express & Star · 9 Oct, 15:36
- Ex-Reform members form new opposition group on Walsall CouncilThree ex-Reform councillors form new group in WalsallExpress & Star · 8 Oct, 13:00
In this story: Walsall · Daniel Rollinson · Bella Simon · Robin Perry · Elaine Williams · Reform · Walsall People's Alliance
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