Labour holds onto Birmingham seat in by-election following severe city council cuts

The Labour Party has retained its seat in a Birmingham ward in the first election of a city councillor since the authority’s unprecedented budget was approved.

A by-election in the Bournbrook and Selly Park ward was called following the departure of Brigid Jones, a former cabinet member for finance at crisis-hit Birmingham City Council.

Over the past few weeks, the Labour and Co-Operative Party have been fighting to keep the seat while facing opposition from the Local Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Workers Party of Britain, Socialist Alternative and an independent.

In the 2022 city council elections, the Labour candidates in the ward, south of Birmingham city centre, won with a significant majority.

While the next city-wide election will take place in 2026, this by-election was an opportunity for thousands of voters, in this particular ward least, to have their say amid the council’s financial difficulties.

The council has found itself in a dire financial situation due to a number of issues including Birmingham-specific factors, such as an equal pay fiasco and the disastrous implementation of a new IT and finance system, as well as the rising demand for services and the impact of years of austerity.

The huge planned wave of cuts to local services were a key focus for many of the candidates, with some criticising the Labour-run council and pledging to fight back against such cuts if elected.

Birmingham Local Conservatives described the by-election as a chance to elect its candidate Dr Andrew Hardie and send a message to the council to change its course.

Joe Norris, for the Liberal Democrats, criticised both the Conservative government and Labour council, arguing it was “time for real change and a new direction”.

The Green Party’s Carla Charles meanwhile said she wanted to send a message to the “Labour-run council and the Tory Government that these cuts to local services are completely outrageous”.

Prior to the by-election, Labour candidate Jamie Scott argued that funding had been stripped from Birmingham over the past 14 years.

He also said he had spoken to residents about “how the impact of the Tories crashing the economy has left people across Birmingham paying the price.”

Mr Scott also said that working with the police, local groups and the community to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and speeding were key priorities if elected.

He added problematic exempt accommodation with exploitative landlords was driving anti-social behaviour and other crimes locally.

“I’m also concerned about issues relating to poor landlords and housing which are making people feel unsafe where they live,” he said.

Mr Scott, who works for a charity which provides support service for victim-survivors of domestic abuse and those who need help with drug and alcohol use, ended up winning the by-election with 1,346 votes.

He was followed by Carla Charles for the Green Party (585 votes), Dr Andrew Hardie for the Local Conservatives (457) and Joe Norris for the Liberal Democrats (435).

Independent Pete Bloomer received 405 votes, Ed Woollard for the Workers Party of Britain got 138 and Corinthia Ward, Socialist Alternative, got 86.

In the days prior to the by-election, those living in the pretty and quiet residential roads of Selly Park spoke of their concern when it came to public services.

One local said on the doorstep that the city council’s bleak predicament had not put her off voting for Labour candidates.

However, she admitted she was deeply worried about what the council’s financial crisis could mean for services in the city, particularly libraries and the arts.

“I don’t blame Labour but [the council’s situation] does make me worried about what the city will look like,” she said.

“They clearly need to look hard at what they have done”.

She added voting Conservatives was not an option for her, arguing the national government does not seem aware of what is needed for local areas.

Despite the worrying financial situation at the city council, another resident appeared sympathetic to the Labour Party while acknowledging Birmingham-specific issues such as the equal pay fiasco.

“On the other hand, the council has had to struggle with losing money from central government,” he argued. “I have some sympathy for them – it’s not just in Birmingham, other councils have the same problems.”