News Writer George Spraget reports on political party stances as the upcoming local elections approach
The West Midlands is set to witness some extraordinary local elections on Thursday 7th May, leading to big council shake-ups across the region.
Britain’s new multi-party political scene seems to have firmly embedded itself, in what could once have been described as ‘swing territory’ between the Labour and Conservative parties, with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK now topping YouGov’s polls in eleven out of thirteen council areas.
They won’t be the only party expecting big gains, however, with the Green Party projected to win 18% of the region’s vote, firmly establishing themselves alongside Labour (21%) and the Conservatives (17%).
These elections provide University of Birmingham students the chance to have their say in how the city is run. Selly Oak dwellers, provided they have registered to vote in the area, will have the opportunity to vote in the Bournbrook and Selly Park ward.
You’ll get 2 votes from a choice of 11 candidates, with the result determining two seats on Birmingham City Council. The ward’s 2022 election saw Labour dominate, winning 65% of the overall vote, but this is projected to decrease to around 27.1% on the 7th of May, with Reform UK and the Green Party both hoping to capitalise on Labour losses.
Recent ITV research has predicted some huge changes to the make-up of Birmingham City Council as a whole.
Recent ITV research has predicted some huge changes to the make-up of Birmingham City Council as a whole. Labour’s majority of 65 seats is predicted to fall by over half, to 32. Reform UK and the Conservatives are predicted to closely follow in second and third, with 26 and 25 seats respectively. The Liberal Democrats are predicted to hold 10 seats, the Green Party 7 seats, and Independents just 1.
An individual party needs 51 seats to take complete control of Birmingham City Council, making the prospect of a coalition council extremely likely after the 7th of May. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, told ITV news she would not rule out a coalition with Reform UK, but UoB Conservative Society president Alex Richards has reiterated that the party maintain the ambition to take complete control of the council. A Reform UK spokesperson likewise insisted there will be no need for coalition talks as the party is standing to win outright.
A coalition between Labour and the Greens and/or the Liberal Democrats is another possibility. UoB Green Party President Olly Ashton told me ‘the Greens are collaborative by nature’ and share a lot of vision around ‘community empowerment’ with the Liberal Democrats, but took a more restrained approach regarding the Labour Party – ‘the way Labour have treated the residents of Birmingham over the past years, I think, has made everyone resent the idea of giving them another go.’
UoB Labour President Kashvi Khanna believes that the real competition for the Council rests solely between the Labour Party and Reform UK, affirming her stance that ‘a vote for the Greens or the Lib Dems will risk Reform taking over the council.’
Birmingham’s ongoing bin strikes dominate the concerns of residents, with 63% of voters suggesting it will directly influence how they vote, according to ITV.
So what is driving voters? Unsurprisingly, Birmingham’s ongoing bin strikes dominate the concerns of residents, with 63% of voters suggesting it will directly influence how they vote, according to ITV. Despite being a top priority for all parties, there will be no easy way out.
Labour and the Conservatives both emphasise staying within the legal limits regarding breaching equal pay laws through any deals. UoB Labour Society insists the party has reached a deal to end the strikes, which would be implemented on re-election.
Local Liberal Democrat leader Roger Harmer echoed the party’s call to ‘work through the differences,’ with the party proposing a more structural long-term plan.
Reform UK plan to review the legal advice currently underpinning Birmingham City Council’s position, but this will not necessarily reach a new conclusion.
Julien Pritchard, local Green Party leader, placed more emphasis on ‘listening to the other side,’ suggesting greater consideration being given to the union’s case.
More details on each party’s bin strike stance can be found here.
Potholes and road concerns are the second biggest local frustration, with 44% stating it is among their top issues. This is followed by housing and homelessness at 40%. International politics also plays a significant role, with 27% of voters stating that the Israel-Palestine conflict will have a bearing on how they vote.
UoB’s political party societies were keen to emphasise the other perceived issues specifically facing students
During interviews, UoB’s political party societies were keen to emphasise their party’s focus on other perceived issues specifically facing students, with many university students standing in elections themselves for their respective parties.
Labour affirms their belief in investing in jobs and opportunities to keep graduates in Birmingham, as well as insisting ‘every vote for Labour is a vote to keep division out of our communities.’
The Conservatives point to the direct impact that responsible finances and reliable services will have on areas of student life, including transport and housing, and focus on ‘getting Birmingham back to a clean, well-run city’.
The Green Party place landlords, street lighting, and road safety amongst their top concerns, as well as putting forward the clear leadership it would offer regarding the climate and ethics, including plans for divestment from arms companies and a 1:10 pay ratio.
Reform UK instead cite freedom of speech as a big issue for students, stating that the party ‘will provide an equal playing field for all forms of honest political speech.’
Have your say! Bournbrook and Selly Park elections take place on 7th May from 7am to 10pm in various polling stations, including Tiverton Academy School on Tiverton Road.
Have your say! Bournbrook and Selly Park elections take place on 7th May from 7am to 10pm in various polling stations, including Tiverton Academy School on Tiverton Road.
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