Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has expressed her devastation after Labour lost control of Birmingham City Council for the first time in 14 years, describing the local election results as "a devastating night in Birmingham and across the country." Counting for the remaining seats was halted on Friday evening, with no party securing an overall majority amid a fragmented five-party split.
Labour's Collapse in Birmingham
The end of Labour's long-standing leadership in the city followed significant gains by Reform UK, the Green Party, and a bloc of independent candidates. Mahmood, the Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010, acknowledged the setback, stating that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "has rightly said we must do better."
With two of the 101 seats still to be decided, Reform had secured 22 seats, the Green Party 19, Labour 17, Conservatives 16, independents 13, and the Liberal Democrats 12. None of the parties came close to the 51 seats required for a majority. Rob Connelly, the returning officer, confirmed that the count for the outstanding Glebe Farm and Tile Cross ward, which has undergone several recounts, would resume on Monday.
Mahmood's Statement
Late on Friday, the Home Secretary posted on social media: "A devastating night in Birmingham and across the country. Good public servants, colleagues and friends have lost their seats. This was a verdict on us not them. The PM has rightly said we must do better. It is a privilege to serve the British people and we must live up to it."
Outgoing Leader's Call for Action
The outgoing Labour leader of the council, John Cotton, whose administration oversaw a protracted bin strike, urged his successor to prioritise a resolution to the dispute. The bitter 14-month disagreement over pay and jobs led to rubbish accumulating on the streets, with residents raising concerns about public health.
Speaking after Labour's vote share collapsed, Cotton said his administration had made difficult decisions to stabilise the city's finances. He appealed to the incoming leadership: "I would encourage the next administration to build on those foundations and not to engage in acts that would take us back to some of the mistakes that have dogged Birmingham in the past. Around a week or so ago I set out the terms of a deal that I believe will bring these strikes to a close. Whoever occupies the leader's chair, as I move away from it… needs to ensure they take that deal through as a priority. So we can bring this to a close and the people of Birmingham get the bin service they deserve."
