𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly in deep trouble in a city dominated by the Labour Party. New research has predicted it will retain just 11 seats after 14 years of leadership in Birmingham.

Voters in six council areas across Birmingham and the Black Country will go to the polls on Thursday, May 7. It will be the biggest set of local elections in the region since 2022, with 101 seats up for grabs. However, things are looking dire for Labour with bombshell statistics revealing the party could regain just a fraction of its seats.

A poll from survey firm Bombe is predicting the party to retain just 11 seats on Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Dispatch reported. Labour, which has controled the council since 2012, won a 65-seat majority in the last full election and currently holds 50 seats.

However, this figure is predicted to tumble due to a number of issues, including council bankruptcy, bin strikes, foreign policy and ongoing cost of living issues. Meanwhile, the polling suggests Independents will become the largest group with 31 seats, following by the Greens with 22, Reform UK with 19, Labour with 11 and the Conservatives with just 10.

This would leave the council with no overall control. The parties would be forced into coalitions to pass policies across the city and wider region.

Birmingham City Council declared itself effectively bankrupt in 2023. Residents now face higher council tax over the next few years as well as significant cuts to essential services.

Residents are also unhappy with ongoing bin strikes, with walk outs leading to rubbish piling up in the streets. The issue has led to a general sense of decline and an increase in pest problems across Birmingham.

The city also has a large Muslim community who have become disillusioned with the Labour Party’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.

Like other parts of the UK, people in Birmingham are feeling the pinch from the cost of living crisis. Sir Keir started this year aiming to put the issue front and centre of his messaging, but it seems this is having little impact in Birmingham.