A Birmingham city councillor who faced intense criticism for his prolonged absence from official duties has formally resigned from his position.
Long-running absence and mounting pressure
Jack Deakin, the Labour representative for Allens Cross in Northfield, has stepped down, with his details now removed from the council's website. His resignation follows months of controversy over his poor attendance record, which saw him attend only two council meetings in a year.
Mr Deakin, elected in May 2022, was found to have 'signed in' for a third meeting without actually attending. The situation led to growing calls for his removal during the summer.
Health issues and lost faith in politics
In previous comments to BirminghamLive, Mr Deakin cited several reasons for his absence. He explained he had suffered periods of ill health and had lost faith in local politics. He was also suspended from his role for nine months in 2024 over a harassment complaint against a Labour party staffer, though he was later exonerated.
Family issues were also said to contribute to his poor attendance. Sources indicate Mr Deakin had expressed a desire to resign earlier this year but was persuaded to stay on.
Political fears and by-election avoidance
The reluctance to accept his resignation earlier appears to have been politically motivated. According to sources, Labour MPs, councillors, and officials pressured him to remain in post to avoid triggering a by-election.
There were concerns that such a contest could provide an opportunity for the Reform party to gain a seat. With local elections scheduled for May 2025, the deadline to call a by-election has now passed. This means the Allens Cross seat will remain vacant until the next full local election.
Criticism from opposition and impact on residents
The Conservative opposition leader, Robert Alden, has strongly condemned the situation. He stated it was "outrageous that the public has been forced to foot the bill for a missing councillor for two years" due to Labour's fear of holding a by-election.
Alden, who is also an Erdington councillor, added that residents in Allens Cross have been "robbed" of representation and the chance to elect a new councillor. He emphasised that they will now face a further six months without a local representative at the council, all while paying higher council tax.
BirminghamLive has contacted both Birmingham City Council, which is under Labour control, and Mr Deakin for further comment on his resignation.
