Words by Ed King
Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden has celebrated the “huge honour” of being re-elected as Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group – following a ballot at the local party’s recent annual general meeting (AGM).
Announcing the appointment via social media, Cllr Alden was quick to thank members of the Birmingham Conservatives for “unanimously” reappointing him to the top spot – which he has held since first being elected in 2014.
Cllr Alden further celebrated the appointment of Cllr Ewan Mackay (Sutton Roughley) as Deputy Leader and Cllr Adrian Delaney (Rubery & Rednal Ward) as the local party Whip – alongside his running mate in the Erdington Ward, Cllr Gareth Moore, being elected as Group Secretary.
Cllr Alden was also quick to challenge “bankrupt Labour’s [Birmingham City Council] double whammy of higher taxes for fewer services” and promised the Birmingham Conservative Group “will continue to stand up for residents being hit” by the city’s increased Council Tax.
Following in his family’s political footsteps, Cllr Alden was first elected as Erdington Ward Councillor in 2006 and has confidently retained the seat for nearly two decades.
Cllr Alden’s father, John Alden was a significant figure in local politics, having represented the Harborne Ward as a Conservative Councillor for 33 years – from when he was first elected in 1983 until 2012, then after being re-elected in 2014 until his retirement in 2018.
Honorary Alderman John Alden sadly passed away earlier in the year, with the news of his death receiving heartfelt condolences from political figures across the aisle.
Cllr Alden’s mother, Cllr Deirdre Alden, was first elected to represent the Conservatives in the Edgbaston Ward in 1999 and remains a prominent and well respected figure in local politics.
Following his re-election as Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group, Cllr Robert Alden told Erdington Local: “It is a huge honour to be a Councillor for Erdington and Leader of the Opposition.
“I am incredibly grateful to the trust and faith fellow Councillors have put in me to lead the Opposition Local Conservative Group at Birmingham City Council.”
He added: “Looking ahead to the all-out elections in Birmingham in 2026 the ruling Labour group only need to lose 12 seats to lose control, Birmingham Local Conservatives are best placed to win those 12 seats and deliver real change for local residents and that is what we’ll be working to do.”
Alongside being Leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group, Cllr Robert Alden also sits on the Council Business Management Committee, Employment Committee, General Assembly of the Local Government Association, and WMCA Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee – alongside observer member positions on further committees.
For more on Cllr Robert Alden, including a list of surgery times and locations, visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/councillors/7/robert_alden
To hear more about the work being done in the Erdington Ward by Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews
