The curious Birmingham election with just 12 candidates standing for 12 seats has drawn attention. While the battle to seize control of Birmingham City Council is set to be hotly contested, another election in the city looks more a foregone conclusion.
Next month is set to be a pivotal moment in Birmingham with a wide-open race to see who will seize control of the city council. Hundreds of candidates are battling for the 101 city council seats, with the election shifting from a two or three horse race between Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to a five or even six-way battle for seats. On a national level, Reform UK leads the polls and the party is standing in every seat, along with the three parties above. Add the Green Party and a slew of independents into the mix and it will be quite the electoral battle.
However, there are two other elections in the city on the same day. One concerns one of the country's biggest town or parish councils in Sutton Coldfield, with a budget of more than £2 million and nearly 90 candidates battling for 24 seats. But on the opposite side of the city, there is an election that looks more of a foregone conclusion.
The New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council vote will also take place on Thursday, May 7. There are just 12 candidates for the 12 seats available. And eight of the 12 candidates are current councillors. The statement of persons nominated lists the 12, with no party affiliations listed. The candidates are current councillors Susan Baker, Susan Bradley, Linda Coates, Alarra Cowie, Philip Johnston, Marion Kenyon, Kate Strachan and Jo Walker, the current chair. Plus Curtis Brittain, Adam Fitzgerald, Tony Hill and Andrew Smith.
BirminghamLive checked the candidate list was correct and that there were no party affiliations. A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said: “Yes, there are 12 candidates for 12 seats on Frankley Parish Council. Election candidates can choose to provide a description of up to six words on the Statement of Persons Nominated. Therefore, this will be blank if they have decided not to include any such wording on their nomination form.”
While there will be heated battles for city council seats and a wide choice of candidates for Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, the Frankley election looks like the outcome can be predicted before a ballot is posted.
