The Green Party has issued a final appeal to Birmingham voters ahead of the May 7 city council elections, with leader Julien Pritchard promising hope and real change. For the first time, the party is fielding a full slate of 101 candidates across the city, reflecting a significant increase in support and membership.
A Surge in Support
Pritchard, who made history as Birmingham's first Green councillor eight years ago and continues to represent Druids Heath and Monyhull, attributes this growth to the so-called 'Zack Polanski effect.' The national leader's rising profile has propelled the Greens into the national conversation, boosting local momentum. Pritchard believes the party could soon play a controlling role in the city's future.
The Greens face competition from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK, all fielding full slates. Additionally, 27 Workers' Party candidates, seven Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates, five Your Party candidates, and over 70 independents are standing.
Pritchard's Pitch to Voters
In his statement, Pritchard declared: 'On 7th May Green candidates are standing across Birmingham for a fairer, greener and more hopeful city.' He highlighted the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, criticizing the Labour-run council for failing residents. 'Council Tax has shamefully soared by 25% in just three years, yet bins overflow, essential services have been gutted, our roads are more pothole than pavement, and thousands of people are trapped on social housing waiting lists.'
Pritchard also condemned national politics, citing 'years of failure by successive Conservative and Labour Governments stoking division and cutting services to the bone.' He urged voters to choose between 'a politics of division, and a politics of hope and real change with the Green Party.'
A Real Chance for More Green Councillors
The party's membership has more than tripled, and it is coming second in many national polls. Pritchard pointed to a 'stonking win' in the Gorton & Denton by-election in Manchester in February as evidence of growing support. 'We're seeing similar surges in Birmingham, with more and more people saying they will vote Green. I've never seen anything like it.'
More Green councillors would mean stronger advocacy for neighbourhoods, he argued. 'We have a track record of working with and standing up for our communities, whether that's supporting residents with housing issues, tackling rubbish problems or protecting our community libraries. Other parties take our residents for granted; we will give communities the champions they deserve.'
Key Priorities
Pritchard outlined several key pledges:
- Waste Collection: Resolve the bin strikes that have 'brought shame on our city' and create a service that 'you can set your clocks by,' aiming for top national recycling rates.
- Clean Streets: Clear flytipping and establish local neighbourhood clean-up crews to address both symptoms and causes.
- Road Repairs: Push for more investment to end potholes and broken pavements.
- Safer Streets: Campaign for zero road deaths, better lighting, more pedestrian crossings, and retention of school crossing patrols.
- Local Services: Protect and reinvest in community centres, libraries, and youth centres, while safeguarding parks and green spaces.
- Housing: Fight for more genuinely affordable social housing, support for private tenants, and enforcement against bad landlords.
- Ethical Investments: Ensure council investments and pensions have no connection with war, genocide, human rights abuses, or unethical practices.
- Cost-of-Living Support: Explore expanding council tax support for struggling residents.
- Resident Involvement: Give everyone a say in how council tax is spent and involve residents in budget-setting.
Pritchard concluded: 'Most of all we work for all of our city and its diverse communities and stand against those who would divide us. This election is your chance to trade the old politics for a seat at the table. Join us in building a city where every voice is heard and every community is valued. Vote Green on 7th May and give Birmingham hope again.'
