Newly-elected Birmingham councillor Harris Khaliq believes an 'uprise' of independents could benefit the city's 'forgotten' residents following dramatic local election results.
Landslide victory for independent candidate
Khaliq won Ward End with a landslide 2,078 votes after running a grassroots campaign focused on local issues including reducing litter, protecting Ward End Library, and securing local hiring for major projects. Labour's candidate came second with just 525 votes.
'I grew up there, I've lived there for 35 years, people knew their problems are my problems,' Khaliq said after his victory was declared on Friday.
Labour collapse in Birmingham
The election saw Labour collapse in Birmingham amid voter frustration, with 13 independent candidates of various backgrounds winning seats across the city. Reform UK emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Greens with 19.
Khaliq argued that mainstream parties had 'taken the public for granted' and 'ignored working-class people'. He said residents 'had years and years of being forgotten, misled and misrepresented'.
Coalition talks expected
The new council makeup shows no party has an overall majority, with 51 seats needed for control. Coalition talks are expected in the coming days to form a stable administration. It remains unclear whether the 13 independents will play a role in forming the next Birmingham City Council administration.
