Two Solihull councillors leave Reform UK group citing personal reasons

Two councillors in Solihull have resigned from the Reform UK group on the local council within a 24-hour period. Alan Feeney and Chris Whelan both announced their departures on social media, stating they would continue to serve as independent councillors.

Departures of Feeney and Whelan

Alan Feeney, who represents Castle Bromwich on Solihull Council and Shard End on Birmingham City Council, announced his departure on Monday, October 12. Feeney had served as deputy leader of the Reform UK group on Solihull Council. In a statement posted on Facebook, he said: "Following discussions, I have mutually agreed with Reform UK that, for personal reasons, I will be leaving the party."

Feeney added: "I will continue to represent the residents of Castle Bromwich and Shard End as an independent councillor, and would like to thank all my colleagues."

Shortly after Feeney’s announcement, Chris Whelan, the councillor for Castle Bromwich on Solihull Borough Council, announced his own resignation from the group. Whelan cited both personal and health issues. He stated: "Today I have mutually agreed to resign from the Reform uk group on solihull council, on personal and health grounds."

Whelan continued: "I would like to thank all the colleagues at reform for their help over the past months and I shall remain as an independent councillor and continue to work hard for the residents of castle bromwich."

Group Response and Context

Samantha Gethen, the Reform UK group leader on Solihull Council, confirmed the resignations to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). "Coun Feeney and Coun Whelan have resigned the Reform UK whip," Gethen said. "We thank them for their hard work on behalf of residents. We regret this outcome, and we wish them well."

A Reform UK spokesperson also stated: "Coun Whelan and Coun Feeney's resignations from the group have been mutually agreed on personal grounds. We thank them for their contributions."

These departures follow other recent exits from the Reform UK group in Solihull. In July 2026, Councillor David Hoey left to join the Conservatives. In September, Councillor Eleonora Gough left the group, citing a "toxic and hostile" working environment, though she remained a member of the party. The Reform UK group disputed Gough's characterization, stating in a joint response: "We do not recognise the picture painted in that letter. Holding one another to a high standard is not the same as hostility and we reject any suggestion that this group's culture is anything other than professional and focused on the job residents elected us to do."

Council Composition

Feeney had previously left the Conservative group in June 2025 before joining Reform UK three months later. He faced scrutiny ahead of the May 2026 local elections for standing in wards on two different councils.

According to Solihull Council's website, Jamie Campbell, the third Reform UK councillor for Castle Bromwich, has become the group's deputy leader. The latest resignations mean four councillors have stepped down from the Reform UK group since the May local elections, when it became the official opposition.

The current composition of Solihull Council is as follows:

• Conservatives: 25
• Reform UK: 13
• Liberal Democrats: 6
• Green Party: 4
• Independent: 3

Why it matters

The resignations reduce the Reform UK group's strength on Solihull Council, where it serves as the official opposition. The rapid succession of departures, including previous exits citing internal conflict, highlights ongoing instability within the party's local representation in the area.

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Sources

• birmingham-now.co.uk: Two others Solihull councillors leave Reform group | Birmingham Now
• coventrytelegraph.net: Two Reform UK Solihull councillors resign within 24 hours citing personal reasons | Coventry Live
• uk.news.yahoo.com: Birmingham and Solihull councillor to stand as independent after quitting Reform party - Yahoo News UK

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.