Conservative councillors must unite - new leader

Garry Perry is the new leader of Walsall Council

The new leader of Walsall Council says he's working to unite his councillors following the controversial resignation of the authority's long-serving former leader.

Councillor Mike Bird stood down last month after being suspended by the Conservative party pending a disciplinary investigation, a decision he is appealing against.

He is currently sitting as an independent.

His successor Garry Perry says the conflict within the group is being overcome as he focuses on public services.

Mike Bird resigned as leader of Walsall Council in June

"A lot of people were injured by that, people who were involved but also people on the periphery of it," Mr Perry said.

"We have to recognise that my predecessor did over 40 years' service to Walsall.

"He did deliver, but circumstances happened that led to the leader having to resign."

Mr Perry was first elected in 1998 and later became Walsall Borough's youngest ever mayor.

He admits the circumstances surrounding his selection as council leader are less than ideal.

"I don't think I would have wanted this to have happened when it has happened, for reasons professional and private. But we are here now and I'm trying to do my best."

Mr Bird had been leader of Walsall Council for three periods since 2009 including from May 2018 to June 2024.

Another councillor, Suky Samra, was also suspended by the Conservative Party for three months as part of the investigation. He has been sitting as an independent since last year.

Speaking to the BBC in May, Mr Bird said: "I was accused of racism, which was absolutely thrown out by the party.

"That was a big tick in the box for me. I'm not a racist at all. Unfortunately when the race card is on the table, if you don't defend yourself you're guilty by default."

A spokesperson for the Conservative party said: “Councillor Mike Bird and Councillor Suky Samra have been suspended from the Conservative Party following a disciplinary investigation. All decisions are subject to appeal.

“The Conservative Party has an established code of conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence. This process is rightly confidential.”

A spokesperson for Walsall Council told the BBC the suspensions were a matter for the Conservative Party, not the local authority.

The Conservatives remain in control of the authority following success in May's council elections, maintaining their majority. They won 12 seats compared to five for Labour and three were won by Independent candidates.

However, Labour's success in both the general election and the West Midlands mayoral election mean the new council leader's approach is one of cross-party collaboration.

Mr Perry said: "I'll always be constructive with whoever is in government.

"That's the relationship I've started to build with our regional mayor, one that's built on mutual respect and trust.

"Keir Starmer talks about 'less politics' and more in the service of people, that's something I believe in."

• For more on the story, watch Politics Midlands on BBC One in the West Midlands at 10:00 BST on Sunday or catch up on iPlayer.