Lib Dem Roger Harmer new Birmingham City Council Leader

Today, Friday 5 June 2026, Birmingham City Council meeting of the full council voted on the proposal for the new leader of the council.  

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Birmingham City Council group, Cllr Roger Harmer was voted in as Leader, with Cllr Julien Pritchard (Green) named as Deputy Leader.  

The new administration is a partnership including Green, Liberal Democrat parties and the Better Birmingham and Birmingham Independents Groups. 

In his speech today, Cllr Roger Harmer said:

"Thank you Lord Mayor. 

I speak today not just as leader of the Liberal Democrats, but as a proud advocate for a coalition built on partnership—one that brings my Group together with the Green Party, the Better Birmingham Independents and the Birmingham Independent Group. I wish to begin by acknowledging the remarkable commitment shown by each of these groups to setting aside our differences in order to seek the best for Birmingham. This collaboration is a testament to the strong, shared resolve that exists across parties to put our city first and put right the failures of the past.

The challenges our city faces demand both new policies that put our residents first and a commitment to ensure they are actually delivered. Our City requires leadership that is steady, pragmatic, and unwavering in its focus on the issues that matter most to residents. In recent years Birmingham has faced uncertainty, and real damage to its reputation. Now, more than ever, we require a council that unites behind common goals and delivers real change.

Let us be clear about our priorities. First and foremost, we must get the basics right. Our streets should be free from litter and fly tipping. The bin strike has gone unresolved for far too long, impacting the daily lives of thousands. Tackling this head-on is not optional; it is essential. We must negotiate a solution that is fair to our refuse workers, is good value to our residents and enables us to work together to deliver an efficient reliable waste collection service and not just restart recycling but deliver record high levels of recycling.

As an administration we will stand up for all our diverse communities, while improving our public services and spaces.

We must also take meaningful action against anti-social behaviour. Right across our city, from Weoley to Ward End, communities feel let down by a lack of action to deal with rogue landlords, dangerous drivers and those who ignore planning and waste regulations. Working together, our administration will prioritise safer streets and stronger more self-reliant neighbourhoods.

And we will get on with repairing our roads, so many blighted with potholes, affecting everything from small businesses to families on the school run.

This coalition shows what can be achieved when we put our city above narrow party politics. The Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and the Independent Councillors have come together, united by a vision of progress grounded in action, not rhetoric. Together, we bring diverse perspectives, fresh ideas, and a shared commitment to rebuilding trust in this council.

But we also acknowledge we do not have all the answers and we will listen carefully to other groups on the council. Last month the electors gave us a politically fragmented council. We respect that judgment and that residents want elected councillors to work together for the good of the city. And we accept the challenge to listen much more closely to partners whether in the public sector, business, community or voluntary sectors.

It has now been over four weeks since the election. Four weeks in which Birmingham has waited—waited for leadership, for decisions, for direction. The time for hesitation has passed. Delaying further would do a disservice to those we were elected to serve.

Let us put Birmingham back on course, clean up our streets, reengage with our communities, tackle anti-social behaviour,repair our roads, protect and invest in our public services and public spaces. The people of Birmingham deserve nothing less.

I urge you all to support us. Together, we can provide the stability, ambition, and practical action our city needs. Let us be the council that says, and proves, that Birmingham comes first. Thank you Lord Mayor."