Birmingham's Liberal Democrats have made the first move as parties meet to negotiate the future of the city council following a chaotic election outcome. The group of 12 freshly-elected Lib Dem councillors met last night, Saturday May 9, and re-elected Roger Harmer as their leader. They also agreed a set of principles and values they say amounts to their offer to other parties.
"It is clear from the election that no one party has the support to be in control of the city council, so those elected must work together, for the people of Birmingham," said the party.
Hung Council Outcome
The results so far mean no party or even pair of parties can assume overall control. The Liberal Democrats is the smallest official group. The current standing, with two seats yet to declare, is as follows:
- Reform - 22 seats
- Green Party - 19 seats
- Labour - 17 seats
- Conservatives - 16 seats
- Independents - 13 seats
- Liberal Democrats - 12 seats
Lib Dem Proposal
Coun Harmer, re-elected to his seat in Acocks Green, said: "Our proposal is to set out a vision for the city and a supporting delivery plan. For the past few years, the city has been known for its financial problems and a failure to collect the bins, but that should not define our city."
He added: "We need to move Birmingham forward as a place of initiative, enterprise and culture, that attracts people with talent."
Six Key Objectives
The delivery plan they have penned should include six key objectives:
- Create a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds are recognised as equals, with a part to play in creating a vibrant and progressive city.
- Ensure long-term financial stability of the council.
- End the bin dispute with a fair and legal settlement and clean up the city.
- Create an enforcement system which deals effectively with road safety, planning and fly-tipping offences which blight our city.
- Listen to the people of Birmingham and involve them in deciding local priorities for service delivery in their communities.
- Tackle the backlog of road and pavement repairs.
Coun Harmer added: "We have looked at the manifestos of the other political parties and believe there is sufficient common ground to work on this basis."
They have urged that other parties who commit to these objectives should agree to share positions of responsibility proportionately and move swiftly to publish details of how they will work together. Reform, the Conservatives, Labour and the Greens have yet to reveal their leadership arrangements.
