Birmingham local elections 2022: Liberal Democrats manifesto and transforming city politics

The Birmingham Liberal Democrat manifesto pledges include funding for up to 400 ‘walking bus conductors’ to create safer streets around the city’s schools.

The party have also committed to a 12 month “ultimatum” for Birmingham’s waste collection team and would “bring in partners” to help service resident’s bin cycles.

Key policies for Liberal Democrats in this election manifesto include:

• Liberal Democrats would give Birmingham’s struggling waste collection services 12 months to sort themselves out. If the problems of missed collections and poor recycling rates cannot be resolved, the Lib Dems would bring in partners to provide services in different parts of the city, the manifesto says.
• Liberal Democrats call for radical devolution of power and resources to communities in the city, meaning genuine consultation with residents on any proposed changes to their communities
• Prioritising safety around schools, by proposing funding for up to 400 "walking bus conductors" who would be the key to creating safe streets round the city’s schools for children and families
• Liberal Democrats would focus on ensuring streets are kept clean, fly-tippers prosecuted and residents have accessible, free services for waste collection in their streets.
• The Liberal Democrats say that under Labour, the Council has failed to listen to the concerns of its residents, spending money on "vanity projects" rather than basic services - and that this must be reversed.

What have Birmingham Liberal Democrats said about their manifesto in their own words?

Speaking on the manifesto, Cllr Jon Hunt, group leader for the Lib Dems on Birmingham Council, said: "People across the city are crying out for change, demanding a new direction for their community. Lib Dems have been demanding better and achieving much from opposition. We need more Lib Dems elected for positive change in Birmingham.

"Birmingham city ward and Sutton Coldfield Parish ward residents and businesses are fed up with a Conservative government that’s given up caring, and a Birmingham Labour-run council that has long stopped listening.

"Liberal Democrats agree with residents that our local areas need more power, more investment, and more care. As we recover from the pandemic, we need investment across our communities, not just spent in one area on vanity projects.

"I’m very proud of this manifesto, and even prouder of the work across our city by hard-working Lib Dems. We want to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, fight against climate change for a secure future, and ensure people finally get a genuine say in their own communities.

"The Conservative party has shown that it can’t lead, and Birmingham Labour doesn’t listen. People want change, people want a brighter future, and that’s what can be had by voting Lib Dem on May 5."

The manifesto can be downloaded HERE (PDF)

How many seats are up for grabs in the election on Thursday, May 5?

All 101 seats on Birmingham City Council are up for grabs at this year’s local elections, taking place on Thursday, May 5.

Voters from Birmingham’s 69 wards will head to polling booths to choose their local councillor, with the count taking place from 9am the following day on Friday and results expected by late afternoon.

Labour currently hold a strong majority in the city with 65 out of the 101 seats. Conservative councillors form the opposition with 27 seats, while the Liberal Democrats hold eight and the Green Party holds one. In total there are nearly 400 people standing for election.

As ever, the results of local elections often reflect how the country feels about politics happening on a national level, so issues like the Ukrainian crisis, party-gate, and the cost-of-living crisis are expected to have a significant impact. On a more local level, issues affecting Birmingham such as bins, transport and education are also expected to influence voters. Both Labour and the Tories appear to be placing a lot of stock in cleaning up Birmingham’s streets.

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