The year 2024 marked a drastic shift in Birmingham’s politics as all three tiers of government ended up within Labour’s grasp. The party is now in charge at city, regional and national level – and there’s plenty to tick off on its to-do list for Brum.
Housing, road safety, child poverty and the ongoing efforts to tackle the financial woes at the Labour-run city council are just a few of the more pressing examples. But as well as getting to grips with these hugely important and critical issues, what actually is the party’s vision for Birmingham and the priorities among its more notable politicians?
Al Carns, a former marine and the new Labour MP for Selly Oak, wants to see the city define its own identity, embrace its strengths and realise its “limitless” potential. Reflecting on his own life story and how it’s shaped his beliefs, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service recently that he grew up near two council estates in Aberdeen and wasn’t expected to amount to much.
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However, he pursued his dream of joining the Royal Marines at the age of 19-years-old, despite his mum’s protests and initially being rejected due to his colour blindness. “I had to constantly believe in myself and rise above what others thought I was capable of,” he said.
“I still vividly remember the day I earned my green beret – that evening, an officer stormed into my bunk room, nitpicking about a dusty window frame. I looked him square in the eyes and thought: ‘One day, I’ll be so much more than you think I can be’.
“Three years later, I was an officer myself – the rest, as they say, is history.”
Since becoming one of the new Labour MPs in this year’s general election, Mr Carns says he has developed a “deep affection” for Birmingham and speaks highly of its “twisting waterways, bustling streets and iconic red-brick buildings”. But he believes Brum has too often let others define its identity.
“Cities like Manchester have been able to paint an image of youth, energy and growth in the public consciousness,” he said. “Birmingham is often defined by its industrial past.
Al Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. PIC: Ministry of Defence
“Birmingham is so much more than an outdated perception and it’s time for Brummies to stand up and shout louder about the city’s remarkable evolution”. He points to his own constituency of Selly Oak, which he says is leading the charge in the city’s economic and social transformation.
“Stirchley, in particular, has blossomed into a hub of creativity and entrepreneurship,” he said. “Innovation is thriving here too – the Birmingham Health and Innovation Campus, set to open next year, will be a cornerstone of the city’s economic future.”
Signs of renewal can also be seen everywhere according to Mr Carns, from Digbeth’s regeneration and the construction of HS2 to the Octagon skyscraper in the heart of the city. “Yet, for Birmingham to fulfil its potential, we need an ambitious vision, one that embraces our industrial roots but refuses to be defined by them,” he said.
He went on to argue that the city’s strength lies in three areas – one being its potential in high-end technology. “With five world-class universities producing thousands of STEM graduates annually, Birmingham is a powerhouse of talent,” he said. “The challenge now is to retain this talent and harness it for the city’s benefit.”
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Mr Carns, who is also Minister for Veterans and People, added that the city’s “extraordinary diversity” provides a wellspring of fresh ideas while its youthful energy fuels start-ups, independent businesses, and creative industries. “Birmingham is a city with limitless potential, ready to reclaim its rightful spot as a leader in innovation, culture, and growth,” he said.
“The world may still underestimate us but as someone who’s spent a lifetime proving doubters wrong, I can tell you this: Birmingham’s best days are yet to come.”
‘End the tale of two cities’
Richard Parker, who ousted the Conservative Party’s Andy Street as West Midlands Mayor back in May, has made his own priorities clear during his first year in the role. The Labour mayor said in October: “My goals are simple – real jobs, affordable homes, economic growth and better public transport for the people of the West Midlands.”
One major change residents could see, if the mayor’s proposals are approved, is the introduction of a franchised bus network in the region. He also launched his flagship youth employment plan back in the summer and insisted young people in Birmingham can still have optimism despite fears over proposed cuts to city council services.
“With the support of government, we’ve got three investment zones across the region – they’re going to attract £5 billion worth of investment and create 30,000 jobs,” he said in October. “I want those jobs to go to young people training and learning in this region today,” he added.
“So there’s lots of hope, we’ve turned a corner but there’s also a lot of work to do.”
Labour’s Richard Parker speaks as he is elected as the new Mayor of West Midlands, following the count at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham
(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
Meanwhile John Cotton, who was appointed Birmingham City Council’s leader with the unenviable task of steering the authority through its financial crisis, has said he wants to end the city’s ‘tale of two cities’. A number of issues contributed to the Labour council’s dire predicament – Birmingham-specific factors, such as the Oracle system and equal pay debacles, played a role as did funding cuts and the rising demand for services.
The fallout has seen the council’s leadership direct some of the blame at the previous Conservative government while Tory politicians have been quick to highlight the mistakes made by BCC’s Labour administration. Looking ahead, Cllr Cotton has said progress is being made on the council’s recovery and that he wants less emphasis on service cuts as the next budget approaches while also warning of more “tough decisions” to come.
But what does he think Labour’s vision for Birmingham should be beyond getting through this turbulent period within the council? “We need growth but we need fair and inclusive growth so every part of the city can benefit,” he recently told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“We’ve got to end Birmingham’s tale of two cities. What we’ve got to do, working with government and Richard Parker, is look at how we open up those opportunities, what we need to do around skills, early interventions and working with our business community more.
“That’s how the country grows and how we can ensure the city council’s coffers are replenished with new business rates and council tax but also everybody gets to feel the benefit in their wallets.”