Voters head to the polls for Birmingham Erdington by-election

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Published 3rd Mar 2022, 10:12 GMT

Updated 3rd Mar 2022, 13:51 GMT

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The result will start to be declared in the early hours of Friday morning (4 March).

Voters are casting their ballots today (3 March) in the Erdington by-election triggered by the death of popular Labour frontbencher Jack Dromey.

The polls in the seat held by Mr Dromey open at 7am and close at 10pm.

Labour held the seat at the last general election with a majority of 3,601 votes over the Conservatives.

A total of 12 candidates are standing.

Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 74 last week. (Credit: Getty) — Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 74 last week. (Credit: Getty) | AFP via Getty Images

Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 74 last week. (Credit: Getty) — Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 74 last week. (Credit: Getty) | AFP via Getty Images

Paulette Hamilton is contesting the seat for Labour, while fellow city councillor Robert Alden is vying to become the first Tory MP there since 1936.

Anything but a Labour victory would be seen as a major upset for the party.

The Conservatives have come close in the past when they lost by just 231 votes in 1983, when leader Margaret Thatcher was at the peak of her powers after the Falklands War.

Boris Johnson’s party has been struggling in the national polls as the Prime Minister was battered by allegations of parties in Downing Street breaching coronavirus rules.

The family of Mr Dromey, a shadow minister married to Labour grandee Harriet Harman, said he died suddenly at the age of 73 in his flat in the constituency in January.

The former leading trade unionist had represented Birmingham Erdington since 2010.

Birmingham Erdington general election results since 1997. Infographic PA Graphics. — Birmingham Erdington general election results since 1997. Infographic PA Graphics. | Press Association Images

Birmingham Erdington general election results since 1997. Infographic PA Graphics. — Birmingham Erdington general election results since 1997. Infographic PA Graphics. | Press Association Images

The candidates standing

12 are standing for election in Erdington, they are:

Paulette Hamilton, Labour
Robert Alden, Conservative
Siobhan Harper-Nunes, Green Party
Lee Dargue, Liberal Democrats
Jack Brookes, Reform Party
Michael Lutwyche, Independent
Dave Nellist, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC)
David Bishop, Militant Bus-Pass Elvis Party
Clifton Holmes, Independent
Thomas O’Rourke, Independent
Mel Mbondiah, Christian Peoples Alliance
Sir Nos Da The Good Knight, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm.

Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm.

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