Labour has lost control of Birmingham City Council for the first time in 14 years, following significant gains by Reform UK, the Green Party, and pro-Gaza independents in local elections. No party secured an overall majority on the council, which is one of Europe’s largest local authorities, reflecting wider political fragmentation across England.
The Labour Party lost hundreds of council seats nationwide, with Reform UK making substantial inroads in the Midlands and the north, while also taking seats from the Conservatives in the south. In Birmingham, where all 101 seats were contested, Labour lost more than 30 councillors, while Reform gained 21 and the Greens 11. Independents secured 10 seats.
The outgoing Labour leader of the council, John Cotton, acknowledged the need to “listen carefully to the message” of voters and called for better communication of the party’s vision. He defended his record, citing “difficult decisions to bring the finances back into balance” and tackle longstanding issues like equal pay. Cotton also urged unity, amid fears that the fragmented result could leave the city ungovernable.
Nosheen Khalid, an independent candidate elected in Alum Rock, said voters “had enough” of Labour, blaming the party for the council’s bankruptcy in 2023, cuts to youth services, and other damage. She dismissed concerns about ungovernability, stating Birmingham “has not been effectively governed for a very long time.” Khalid ruled out working with Reform UK, calling the party “divisive,” and denied allegations of antisemitism or homophobia among independents, emphasising dignity and respect for all.
The council, which manages a £4.4 billion budget, has faced a series of crises, including bankruptcy, service cuts, and a ongoing bin strike that has left rubbish piled on streets. The election results leave Birmingham with no clear ruling party, raising questions about future governance.
