Birmingham local elections 2022: what matters most to voters?

The people of Birmingham heading to polling stations today (Thursday, May 5 )to choose who they want to represent them at the city council. All of the council seats are up for grabs and there’s plenty of debate about the national parties with partygate raging, the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine.

But what issues matter most to people here, and which of the candidates inspire the most confidence? We hit the streets of Birmingham in the run up to the elections last week to hear some of the people’s thoughts. You can hear all the comments in the video at the top of our story, or read a selection below. Please let us know what you think too.

Harvey says:

“When it comes to politics and voting, it’s always been a… I don’t know. We’ve just followed the trend if you want the truth - so the parents voted Labour, so we’ve voted Labour. But as you’re growing up, obviously you do look around what’s right and wrong for the country and then, especially being a parent, what’s right and wrong for them.

“Local elections, do they mean anything? I don’t think they ever have, in a weird way. It contributes to the greater picture. Yeah, I understand that. But at the moment without, sort of, studying into it, I’m just following the trend. And I think a lot of people and I will say, in our society, in the Asian culture, we tend to go that way. I think it’s about opening books and having a good look at why we vote for these people now. Yeah, they happen - I will always contribute. Where that vote goes, do I really follow it? I don’t think I do.”

Amy says: “I don’t really know much about it, to be honest. I don’t - I keep out of it. I think everyone has so many strong opinions. I don’t worry myself about that.“

Lyla says: “No, nothing really gets done does it? You complain and nothing gets done. I don’t think anybody really cares what happens in Birmingham. That’s the feel for me anyway!”

Brian says: “I don’t care who people vote for. I do support the one party - there’sonly one party, the true party for Birmingham people and that’s Labour. But having said that, you vote for who you want to. But I think you should go and vote, then you’ve got to say what’s happening.

“And personally, I think the Labour Party has done very well for Birmingham over the years. Though this last few years, with all the cuts that have been put on by government on the local expenditure is diabolical and needs to be reversed.”

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