City's new independents: 'People are fed up of mainstream parties'

The splintering of Birmingham's local politics has seen its newly elected independent councillors among those entering uncharted territory.

The city's political map became a rainbow when Labour lost control last week after 14 years in charge, and discussion about new alliances are ongoing.

While Reform UK and the Green Party have become the two biggest parties on the council, there are also 14 new Independent members.

Three of those Independents have told the BBC they are the new face of local politics, representing "forgotten" communities fed up with the status quo.

Recently turned 19, Mansuur Ahmed believes he is currently the youngest councillor in the UK.

The independent councillor for Nechells, who is enrolled on a degree apprentice course, said youth investment was a major priority for the city.

"Birmingham is one of the youngest cities in Europe, but yet over 40 youth clubs have closed across the city over the years," he said.

"We should be investing in young people, supporting them and actually giving them opportunities, not removing their safe spaces."

He said his community told him on the campaign trail they felt neglected by traditional party politics.

"They don't trust politicians any more. People are tired of broken promises, lack of honesty and leaders who just disappear after elections," he added.

"I want to be visible, accessible and accountable to all residents at all times."

Nosheen Khalid, the Independent councillor for Alum Rock, is also hoping to bring about investment in the council's youth services, highlighting 64% of children in her ward are living in poverty.

She said she partially agreed with comments made by Birmingham Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton, that local people had voted for "anybody else" but Labour.

"It speaks to a larger discontent and a mood across the country and definitely across Birmingham where people are fed up of the status quo," she said.

"People are fed up of the mainstream parties. And most definitely fed up of the Labour party and the mismanagement that has had a real effect on people's lives."

Harris Khaliq became a Ward End councillor after fighting a "grass roots" campaign in the community where he grew up, which he said had been "forgotten, misled and misrepresented".

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "People knew their problems were my problems.

"I fix a pothole for them, I fix it for myself. If there's better investment into school, my kids go there too. If we keep the library open, my kids will go there as well.

"This all meant so much to the residents."

He believes independent councillors who live alongside their electorate are "the right people" to represent them.

"They are the bridge between residents and council services, and that's what people want."

Both Ahmed and Khalid say they are having conversations over new political alliances on the fragmented council.

Ahmed said he would work with anyone prepared to "seriously improve" his ward and the wider city.

"My focus is not political gain, it's stability, delivering for the residents at a time where people already feel there's chaos," he added.

"We need leadership that brings calm, direction and steady progress."

Khalid said: "As messy and unstable as it might be, it's going to require coming together with people who probably don't agree on absolutely everything."

She ruled out working with Reform UK, and added she would "prefer not to" work with Labour, but would form a coalition with other parties "if needed".

Correction 13 May: A previous version of this story included a photo of Mariam Khan incorrectly labelled as her fellow Alum Rock ward councillor Nosheen Khalid

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