OPINION: Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK

Words and pic supplied by Jack Brookes

Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK, on the campaign trail

Recently the media have talked about the effects of this government’s policies in relation to old people, but what about us young people?

We have never had so much material wise, although in terms of what is meaningful, never had so little.

If you want to be able to have a home and or have a family, unless you’ve had the financial backing, you’re gonna find it extremely difficult in today’s economic, political and social climate. Arguably, the most difficult it’s ever been since the Victorian period based on the metrics – the price to earnings ratios.

Let’s look at what can be done by us young people…

Some of you may have started university. I remember what that was like seven years ago now; it can be quite intimidating, but embrace the chaos.

For all of us there is an opportunity going into this winter: use it as a chance to rebuild. In this rebuild start getting into good habits, and do it with other people so you can hold each other to account and also so you’re part of a team – you can encourage each other.

Even consider buying a house with several friends. More guarantors. More deposit money.

The young people in Reform UK know this: we raise each other up, not drag each other down like careerist do in the other parties. We are a party of ambition, strength, integrity and meritocracy.

However, the way we thrive… is together – not divided. “If you reform yourself, then you reform a nation.”

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency

OPINION: Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK

Words and pic supplied by Jack Brookes

The system is not broken. It is doing what is designed to do: kill the good; elevate the evil.

Huw Edwards should be rotting in a cell. But he is not. However, post a Tweet that the government does not like… in the cage you go. The communists are to blame. Starmer and his cabal set a precedent. There is a theme with the BBC. Time to finally scrap the licence. Not to mention the grooming gangs and not deporting foreign criminals – Tories are equally disgustingly guilty in these crimes. But what do you expect when the commies constantly call these nonces, “Minor Attracted Person” (MAPs)?

If a child can consent to sterilisation… what else can they consent to? Hence why there is a rise in GaysAgainstGroomers, which has my full support. For me it’s, “Do what you want, but leave the kids alone.”

On top of this, we have the pensioners having their winter fuel payments stripped. This Labour government, by its own sources, know that this will result in excess deaths – hypocrisy on display.

This government and the establishment hate you. How much more evidence do you need?

Come the elections… you have a choice: freedom or tyranny. Once freedom is lost, you have to go to the extremes to get it back. And the extremes are not what I advocate.

As I have said before… “Peacefully come out of the system.” Violence is an extreme last resort and should be used only in self-defence.

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency

OPINION: Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK

Words and pics supplied by Jack Brookes

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.08.24)

Britain is broken. Even if we had everything; house paid off, a great job and a family… you and your family are not safe. And if something horrible happens to them then this government acts in a disgustingly weirdly woke way.

It is self-evident that the social contract is now dead. This Totalitarian government will use your tax money – which is taken by force – to fund things against your interest and the National interest.

If you want to bring them down and liberate yourselves then withdraw your money from the bank, use cash, use metal money and don’t pay your taxes. Remember… The Suffragettes went on a tax strike.

The establishment want you to riot and they want this division in order to create enough chaos in order to enact totalitarian powers – covid, Nazi Germany, China and USSR. Do not fall into their trap.

To all communities… there us more that unites us than divides. However, we must all have a mutual respect and desire to live by British values. British is what’s in your heart.

In Liberty, JB.

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency

OPINION: Jack Brookes, Reform UK

Pic supplied by Jack Brookes

After leapfrogging the Conservatives into second place in the 2024 General Election, Reform UK parliamentary candidate Jack Brookes wasted no time setting out his agenda as “Erdington’s official opposition” and believes the 7,775 people who declared for him deserve representation in the Erdington political arena.

He told Erdington Local: “Winning second place might have been the end of the General Election but it has signalled the start of being responsible for being the official opposition in Erdington. I have been given a mandate to hold our MP to account and I aim to do that for the next five years.

“The General Election proved people want something else besides the two main parties who are too similar and both lost votes this time round. As well as reflecting the views of Reform UK voters, I am hoping my successes will inspire those from my own generation to get involved in politics.

“This election raised so many issues which residents are struggling with. Law and order must be number one; people are sick of rising crime but also of the complete lack of policing. In Erdington, if you are burgled but manage to collect the evidence and find the culprit you could give it to the police, and they will do nothing.

He added: “Secondly, the local economy is just totally broken; businesses are going to the wall and jobs are hard to find. And the benefits system seems to exist to fund HMOs and deter people from work; I will be looking at job clubs and doing everything to make it worth working.”

“I know people are angry, and my generation are starting to realise the system is broken and we will have to be ones to change it.

“I believe in ungovernable disobedience; they want us to stop using cash, well use cash at the pub. They want to control our food supply, then grow your own vegetables and get some chickens.

“We can challenge the system and change where we live, and a movement is growing.”

For more on Jack Brookes from Reform UK visit www.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington-constituency

LOCAL Q&A: Paulette Hamilton retains Erdington for Labour as constituency makes a historical political shift

Lead pic supplied by Birmingham Labour – additional pics by Claire Taylor and Ed King

On 4 July, people across the country took to the ballot boxes to vote in their Members of Parliament and to determine the political elite who would in turn run the country. The Conservative Government was toppled, and Labour won by a landslide. But not without both losing significant ground to Independents and minor parties up and down the UK.

Paulette Hamilton retained the Birmingham Erdington seat and kept the red flag flying over the traditionally Labour stronghold. But Reform UK stepped over the Conservatives to be the constituency’s official opposition, marking the first time in Erdington’s history the political battle was not just between red and blue.

Erdington Local caught up with Paulette Hamilton to find out some of the MP’s thoughts on the recent General Election, and what the new political playing field could mean for the future of Erdington.

Congratulations on securing the Birmingham Erdington seat in your first General Election. What are your priorities now you can continue to serve as Erdington’s MP?
“Thank you. Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who participated in this democratic process by casting their vote. Regardless of whether you voted for me or not, I am committed to working tirelessly on your behalf, and my door is always open if you need assistance.

“It is an honour to be re-elected as your local MP on the priorities I outlined during the election. These priorities include assisting struggling families with the cost of living, investing in our NHS to expand dental and GP appointments, increasing police presence on our streets, building more affordable homes, addressing the HMO issue and tackling the problems we face on Erdington High Street. These are the issues that residents consistently bring to my attention, and I remain focused on addressing them.”

Are you disappointed not get a place in Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet?
“My commitment first and foremost is to the people of Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott. I entered politics to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Having lived in Erdington for 37 years and raised my family here, and with 25 years of experience as an NHS nurse where I started my career in Kingstanding, I am deeply connected to our community. Local people have elected me to be their voice in Parliament, and that remains my top priority.

“I’m delighted that Labour have been given the opportunity to serve and I will continue to support Keir and all my colleagues in Government. My place is in representing our community and fighting for their needs and that commitment drives my actions.”

With a Labour Government now in Westminster, and MPs familiar to your constituency with key cabinet positions, what changes do you hope this could bring to the people of Erdington?
“Our area urgently needs investment, opportunities, and hope for future generations, which it did not have under the Conservatives.  With a Labour Government now in Westminster, I am committed to using every opportunity to highlight the challenges our community faces.

“Although it’s still early days, I’ve already begun speaking up for our area. Rest assured; our voices will be heard in Parliament and Government.”

And how will the change in Westminster affect the wider city’s ongoing financial crisis?
“Our country faced over a decade of Tory austerity, resulting in a £1 billion cut from Birmingham City Council’s budget. Youth services, police numbers, and public finances were severely impacted. The Tories’ unfunded tax cuts crashed our economy that resulted in higher mortgage rates, higher bills, and surging inflation.

“I am under no illusion that the state of our economy inherited by the Labour Government presents a huge challenge. While promising overnight improvements would be neither honest nor responsible, the Labour Government is focused on economic growth to enhance spending on public services. Their approach includes providing multi-year funding settlements to councils, ending wasteful competitive bidding, and supporting local audit system reforms to ensure better value for taxpayers.

“Councils across the country are facing crisis, and the Labour Government has a comprehensive plan to address these challenges and work for the benefit of local communities.”

For the first time in the constituency’s history, the two leading parties are not just Labour and Conservative – with Reform UK taking 22.9% of the votes for second place. What is your response to the new opposition party in Erdington?
“The Conservatives’ track record has left many communities feeling let down, leading to frustration at the ballot box. In contrast, Labour secured a huge mandate with 411 seats nationwide, and a substantial majority of 172. Here in Birmingham Erdington, our majority doubled.

“The results in places like Erdington highlight the frustrations. Local people have experienced years of failure under the Tories, and this shift reflected their desire for change.”

Dr Shaukat Ali stood as an Independent, achieving 6.7% of the votes and virtually coming in joint fourth with the Green Party candidate. Independent candidates did well in the 2024 General Election, challenging some seats and taking others – such as Perry Barr. What can you now do to address the concerns of voters who feel disillusioned with the main political parties?
“To address the concerns of voters who feel disillusioned with the main political parties, I commit to actively listening to feedback. I understand that some voters were frustrated and felt unable to vote for me or any of the major parties.

“Under a Labour Government, I want to see communities brought together, rather than divided. My message to you is this: I hear your concerns, and I am dedicated to continuing to engage with you, listen, and work together toward addressing the issues that you care about.”

What do you feel about the reports of aggressive campaigning and intimidation that have arguably besmirched parts of this General Election?
“Where it is established that intimidation and aggressive behaviour towards candidates and campaigns has occurred, it must always be called out and condemned, and if necessary, investigated by the authorities.

“I’m proud to live in a country that values democracy. Here in Birmingham Erdington, the conduct of other candidates in our area was not reflective of that in other parts of the city. While we can have our political differences and debates, they need to be put forward respectfully. That’s the minimum standard expected from the people we want to represent.”

Crime is a constant issue for our readers and Erdington residents, and you have been vocal about your concerns over the approach to the region’s policing under Chief Constable Craig Guildford. The Reform UK candidate Jack Brookes is also clear on his concerns over crime and policing. What will you now look for from the PPC’s office to really address these concerns?
“Since 2010, police funding has been stripped. The country has seen significant cuts to police numbers and services by the Conservative Government and in the West Midlands, we have lost over 2,000 police officers and hundreds of police staff.

“I know that local people are seeing the results of these cuts, especially on Erdington High Street, which is the main reason people contact me and my office.

“The PCC has prioritised to rebuild community policing by putting more neighbourhood police officers on the front line. Labour has committed to an extra 13,000 police back on our streets, and I will be working with the PCC to ensure our area gets its fair share to combat the issues we face.”

Many Erdington Local readers also raise concerns about how ‘present’ politicians are in the area, and how their focus is on winning elections and not supporting their constituents. Now you have a clear four years ahead, what can you do to build confidence in your constituents?
“As an MP, I’m elected to represent our area in Parliament and I am usually there from Monday to Thursday. But Erdington is my home, where I have lived for the past 37 years and where I raised my family. I shop on Erdington High Street and get my groceries on Slade Road. I bought my first house in Erdington and started my career as a nurse at Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre.

“I want to be a voice for the people in our community and hold regular advice surgeries in every corner of the constituency. To date, I have opened over 4,000 new cases for constituents and am committed to being present at community events, local schools, and advocating for better services. In the years ahead, I aim to strengthen our relationship by standing by your side and fighting for the things that matter to you.”

The final question comes from Jack Brookes, the Reform UK candidate. He asks: “As Paulette Hamilton seems so impressed with this country’s foreign policy stance on Vladimir Putin, if conscription is introduced would she be happy for her children to be sent to the front line to fight Russian soldiers?”

“I’m proud of our brave armed forces and the incredible service they provide to keep our country safe. We should never lose sight of this, and they deserve our utmost gratitude and respect.

“Labour is the party of NATO and will continue to meet the challenge of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine by strengthening our armed forces and protecting our national security – because it is the right thing to do.

“The security of our country and the safety of our citizens is the first duty of any government, whether facing down Putin’s aggression or a threat from anywhere else.”

For more on Paulette Hamilton MP for Birmingham Erdington visit www.paulettehamilton.org

NEWS: Seven candidates standing for Birmingham Erdington on 4 July General Election

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

On Thursday 4 July, voters across the country will be taking to the polls to elect their members of Parliament, and in turn the government.

Birmingham Erdington, a traditionally strong Labour seat, will see seven candidates contesting in the 2024 General Election. Four men and three women from across the political spectrum will be competing for votes to become Erdington’s representative in Westminster.

The Birmingham Erdington parliamentary constituency includes the political wards of Erdington, Stockland Green, Pype Hayes, Perry Common, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and since the boundary changes in 2023 parts of Oscott.

Shaukat Ali (Independent), Farzana Ann Aslam (Liberal Democrats), Jack Brookes (Reform UK), Paulette Hamilton (Labour), Steve Knee (Conservatives), Karen Trench (Green Party), and Corinthia Ward (Trade Union and Socialist Coalition) are the candidates.

Erdington has been in Labour’s hands since 1936. The constituency’s current MP, Paulette Hamilton, who won the by-election in 2022 after the death of previous MP Jack Dromey, will likely be confident of keeping the constituency red.

Ms Hamilton, a former Birmingham City Council cabinet member, told Erdington Local: “Erdington is not just a place on the map for me, each corner is a chapter of my life.

“For over 35 years, it’s where I have raised my family and served with pride as a governor at Yenton Primary School.

“It’s where my journey as a nurse began with training in Kingstanding, before dedicating 25 years to our beloved NHS.

“Erdington is where I was elected as its Member of Parliament, it has shaped who I am today. I’m proud to call it my home and will continue to fight for the services local people deserve.”

But the Erdington Ward has two popular and longstanding Conservative councillors, which bring the Tories some goodwill in the area and potentially turn voters who have become disillusioned with Birmingham’s ruling Labour party after the city’s financial crisis

However, this year’s General Election will be the first since 2010 that Cllr Robert Alden – who is also leader of the Birmingham Conservatives and lives in the heart of Erdington – is not standing for the Conservatives. Instead, Derbyshire businessman Steve Knee has been campaigning for Birmingham Erdington since being voted in as the Conservatives Parliamentary candidate in March.

Mr Knee told: “Whilst out on the campaign trail in recent weeks, including during the successful by-election win in Kingstanding, I have met some terrific residents who are all clearly proud of their constituency and frustrated at the tax increases and service cuts coming from the Labour controlled Birmingham City Council.

“It is clear that good local representation is essential for residents of Erdington, Kingstanding, and Castle Vale.

“As such my priorities are to: Work with the terrific team of Conservative councillors in the constituency to stand up against council tax rises and crippling cuts to local services.”

Competing to be Erdington’s MP for the second time is Jack Brookes for Reform UK. The 25-year-old Libertarian will be hoping to benefit from Nigel Farage re-entering the political stage and resuming leadership of Reform UK, previously the Brexit Party.

One of the three Parliamentary candidates who lives in the constituency, Mr Brookes believes Birmingham needs a dose of law and order.

Mr Brookes told Erdington Local: “We need a crackdown on crime. It’s holding us back. When we bring back law and order then people will be able to thrive and standards of living will increase exponentially. The right to self-defense is absolute!

“Birmingham is the definition of anarcho-tyranny thanks to Labour and the Tories.”

He added: “Freedom of speech and freedom of religion. I will put my life on the line for these things. As long as you are not hurting anyone you should live your life how you see fit. These are what our ancestors fought and died for.”

Qualified barrister and Surrey based councillor Farzana Aslam has been chosen as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Birmingham Erdington seat, despite being based over 100 miles from the city of a thousand trades.

Boasting a formidable CV, with degrees from Oxford and the London School of Economics, Ms Aslam has worked for NGOs, taught in Hong Kong, and is currently a director for a management consultancy.

Ms Aslam said: “I have a long history of voluntary work for NGO’s and charities specialising in social justice issues and am an active campaigner on local community issues relating to healthcare, the environment and local planning.

“I am not a career politician. I am relatively new to politics but driven by a deep desire to change the state our country is in.

“Birmingham Erdington is a community rich in diversity and history, but it is facing significant challenges that need urgent attention.”

George Galloway’s Workers Party is not fielding a candidate in Erdington. However, left wing voters do have an alternative to the Labour Party.

Trade Union and Socialist Coalition candidate Corinthia Ward also stood in the 2022 local elections for the Erdington Ward, garnering 95 votes.

Ms Ward said: “Growing up in Erdington, I can see first-hand the impact of Tory austerity and Labour council cuts on our community.

“In standing on a platform of anti-cuts and anti-war, I will work with local residents, trade unions and public sector staff to fight for the services and funding we need. Money can be found for bombs and dodgy PPE deals, but not for our streets or our youth.

She added: “This is why we need someone in Westminster who will raise the voice of ordinary workers while also linking it to the need for a new mass worker’s party in the interests of the many.”

The Green Party is also contesting the Birmingham Erdington seat in the 2024 General Election, flying the flag for those concerned about the environment and climate change.

With clean air zones and low traffic neighbourhoods coming under attack from other parties, their Parliamentary candidate Karen Trench will be defending environmentally friendly policies whilst demanding bolder action.

Ms Trench, a former Perry Barr Liberal Democrat councillor (2004-2018), won more than 9,000 votes in the 2010 General Election when she stood for the Perry Barr constituency and came second to Labour’s Khalid Mahmood. However, this will be her first election standing for the Green Party.

She said: “I am passionate about environmental and community issues. I am proud to call Birmingham my home, but I have seen the decline in the area over successive governments. We need to see real change in our community and investment into services. I am appalled by the cuts to youth services.

“I am standing for the Green Party as they have the right policies to tackle the major issues in our society such as climate change, homelessness and the cost of living crisis.”

Telford based Dr Shaukat Ali is standing as an independent. The pro-Palestine candidate is hoping to attract voters with the mainstream parties’ stance on the Israel/Gaza conflict.

Dr Ali said: “Britain is in a state of decay. Enough is enough. Who is to blame? Just ask yourself which two parties have governed the UK for the past 100 years and you will find an answer. What they offer is not change, but their turn. Do your bit to remould British politics for the common good, not the few.”

He added: “Let’s reset our moral compass. Tens of thousands of innocent women and children are being bombed, killed and starved in Palestine, yet the main parties are silent. Your MP even voted against a ceasefire.”

To find out more on the Parliamentary candidates across the country standing for the 4 July 2025 General Election, and to locate your nearest polling station, visit www.whocanivotefor.co.uk

NEWS: West Midlands Mayor Andy Street set to invest £400m in social housing in Stockland Green and across the region

Words and pics by Erdington Local editorial team

West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, has secured £400m from Central Government in an ambitious new plan that will see the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) invest hundreds of millions in social housing across the region.

Mr Street announced the new policy at social housing provider Nehemiah Housing Association, an organisation based in Great Barr and with properties in the Erdington constituency.

Launching his mayoral election campaign at Stockland Green School on 21 March, the West Midlands mayor further identified Stockland Green as an area the WMCA will be looking at on “how to improve the housing stock”.

The plan, which was secured ahead of the mayoral election on 2 May, will be the first time the West Midlands Combined Authority has directly funded the building of social housing.

It became possible after Mr Street petitioned Government for £400m investment into the WMCA Affordable Housing Programme, which had reportedly previously only been allocated 50% of that budget, as part of the Deeper Devolution Deal agreed last year.

 

Having secured the multi-million pound social housing investment fund, which will be overseen by the West Midlands Mayor, Mr Street hopes the new plan will attract national media attention and become the blueprint for social housing provision across the country.

Mr Street told Erdington Local: “I want to do this because housing is key to solving so many problems in our region. People might find it strange a Conservative Mayor would care so much about social housing, but I know we could do so much more.”

He added: “The £400m I secured is key, it was a red line for me when signing the Deeper Devolution Deal with the Government.”

The chronic lack of quality social housing across Birmingham is a major factor why Erdington became a hotspot for Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs), assisted living properties, and exempt accommodation.

Now a widely reported and recognised national concern, Erdington Local first covered the frightening reality of those living in HMOs and Exempt Accommodation in August 2020 – with a series articles written by a reporter who has lived experience of the problems facing thousands across the country.

(Click here to read the first story in the series, titled ‘EXPLOITED: HMOs – when greed meets vulnerability, carving up communities for a profit’.)

Following the initial article published by Erdington Local, many other media outlets then covered the topic in depth – with titles from Birmingham Mail to The Guardian all shining a much needed light on the issue.

Mr Street continued: “This kind of plan is a real third term policy as we have been working towards this since I was first elected.

“Housing has always been top of my agenda, prompted by Erdington Local’s investigation into HMOs and assisted living I lobbied the Select Committee in Parliament to look into the problem.”

He added: “This policy is about building new homes, but we will continue to look at how to improve the housing stock in places like Stockland Green.

“This is about building quality social homes for rent for people who want to have a home to call their own – people like key workers, nurses, and young families.

“By partnering with organisations like Nehemiah, we will be building real communities too – that are nurtured by supportive housing associations.”

Despite securing the funding, the WMCA will not actually be building new homes or improving existing social housing themselves – but would instead partner with organisations who have experience in the sector, such as Nehemiah Housing Association, Witton Lodge Community Association, or The Pioneer Group on Castle Vale.

Using funding from the Affordable Homes Programme, Mr Street has promised to triple the current rate of 500-700 homes built by housing associations in the West Midlands to 1,700 per year by 2028.

Mr Street launched the policy at Nehemiah Housing Association, which the organisation’s website describes as providing ‘quality, affordable housing together with wellbeing services to ethnically diverse communities across.’

The housing association has more than 1,250 properties serving the multicultural African, Caribbean, Asian, Irish, and European communities across the West Midlands, including Erdington.

Martin Levermore, Vice Chair of Nehemiah Housing Association, said: “We are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year. Social housing is so important but Government policy changes so often it can be hard to keep up.

“It’s incredibly important that we build enough Social Housing, and the devolution of funding for Affordable Housing could be a game changer for the region. Housing associations like Nehemiah not only build homes, we build communities; so we look forward to seeing how we can play a role going forward.”

For more on Andy Street visit www.andystreet.org.uk

For more on the West Midlands Combined Authority visit www.wmca.org.uk

Click here to learn more about the West Midlands Mayoral elections on 2 May.

NEWS: Andy Street announces £2.4m careers advisor fund during mayoral election campaign visit to Stockland Green School

Words and on location pics by Erdington Local

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street chose Stockland Green School to make his first major policy announcement of his election campaign.

Mr Street visited the Slade Road secondary on the first day of his official campaigning for the mayoral election to announce if re-elected on 2 May the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will pay for 40 careers advisers for schools in some of the region’s most challenged areas.

The plan has been costed at £2.4m with funding already identified by the WMCA.

Mr Street announced the policy at Stockland Green School due to its successful careers programme, which was launched after the legacy of lockdown saw work experience plummet and face-to-face careers sessions with pupils drastically decline.

Mr Street told Erdington Local: “This school has been praised by Ofsted for its commitment to careers advice, but sadly across the West Midlands the same not can be said for all schools.

“There are still too many young people who are not getting the right opportunities and guidance during the critical years when they are deciding what to do for work.”

He added: “30 per cent of our children have not had work experience; one in six have never had face-to-face careers advice. And as usual it’s the schools in the most challenged areas which have these problems.”

Mr Street, who credits his economics teacher as the catalyst for his journey into the business world – which saw him run the department store giant John Lewis from 2007 to 2016, before entering politics – is concerned youngsters will turn elsewhere for crucial advice if denied access to careers experts.

He continued: “In a world where youngsters are getting their career advice from people like Andrew Tate on social media, having trusted local grown-ups in schools is more important than ever.

“I spoke to children in this school today and they all had a spark, a passion, and an idea what excited them concerning jobs – and for children like these, they need help to give them advice about how to get to where they want be and fulfil their aspirations.”

As announced today, if Mr Street is re-elected as West Midlands Mayor schools which score high on the pupil poverty indicators will be able to apply to the WMCA for funds to employ a dedicated careers officer.

Stockland Green School, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, was praised last year by Ofsted for the “tenacious” approach of staff in driving up student aspiration.

Assistant headteacher, Katerina Lee, is also responsible for the careers advice in the school. She said: “The pandemic caused so many problems with work experience, and with careers advisors not meeting pupils we wanted to do something about it.

“We work with local companies to get our pupils the routes to the jobs and careers they want. However, it is hard. And it would be wonderful to have a full time careers advisor… in fact we could do with lots, their work is so important.”

She added: “It is not like in previous years, where pupils would be given a pathway to industries which would open their doors for work experience and then a job offer would be at the end of it.

“We have to work hard identifying the needs of pupils, like our SEN (special educational needs) children, it is very important to identify their needs very early on.”

Headteacher Rebecca Goode began working at Stockland Green School 16 years ago before getting the top job in 2022.

She said: “Our pupils enjoyed telling Mr Street their aspirations and what they want to do when they enter the job market. Giving them access to careers advice is a really important part of making that happen.”

Mr Street, who won the previous two West Midlands mayoral elections, promised to keep the region’s youngsters and children at the top of his agenda. He believes improving their economic prospects is key in both their success and that of the wider West Midlands.

He added: “This is one of those areas where we just haven’t had the budget, powers, and responsibility to sort this until now. But I will get a grip of career education if I’m re-elected in May.

The West Midlands Mayoral election is being held on Thursday, 2 May. Candidates include the incumbent Conservative candidate Mr Street, Labour’s Richard Parker, Reform UK’s Elaine Williams, and Sunny Virk for the Liberal Democrats.

For more on Andy Street visit www.andystreet.org.uk

For more on the West Midlands Combined Authority visit www.wmca.org.uk

Click here to learn more about the West Midlands Mayoral elections on 2 May.

ELECTION NEWS: “…the work starts now,” Paulette Hamilton wins Birmingham Erdington by-election for Labour

By Erdington Local election news team

After weeks of a fiercely fought campaign trail, with twelve MP hopefuls from mainstream parties and independents in the running, Labour’s candiate Paulette Hamilton has been voted in as Erdington’s next Member of Parliament.

Winning with 9,413 votes, a majority of 3266, the Holyhead councillor will now be on her way to Westminster as Erdington’s next voice in the House.

Despite a significantly low turnout, where only 27 % of registered voters made their way to a polling station earlier in the day, Birmingham Erdington remains a Labour seat – one the pary have held since 1945.

“Thank you to every single person who used their vote to vote for me,” Hamilton told the crowd at Erdington Academy, where ballot papers had been counted since before 11pm on Thursday night.

She continued: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be elected as the Member of Parliament, I will not take your vote for granted.

“I have met many of you and I have heard what you have to say and I commit to you now, I will work for you – for Erdington, for Castle Vale, and for Kingstanding. I have made promises to you that I intend to keep and I cannot wait to get started.

“I will be your voice in Westminster and challenge this government to get a better deal for Erdington.

“It’s what we deserve, it’s what you deserve, and the work starts now to get it done.

Having been focused on the quickly called by-election, with the Labour Party whip’s office announcing the early March date only hours after Jack Dromey’s funeral – Erdington’s previous MP who died on 7 January – Paulette Hamilton is hoping to take some time to mourn for her father, who also died tragically as her campaign trail began.

But the long serving councillor and freshly appointed MP is already making plans to serve her new constituency, as she assumes her new role as political champion for Erdington, Castle Vale, and Kingstanding.

She added: “We have got some many things that residents have asked us to do, and my plan is, as soon as possible, to get stated with that.

“Some of the things that are at the top of my list are relating to the local (Erdington) high street, crime and anti social behaviour, Short Heath Playing Fields – which people feel passionately about – and HMOs and exempt accommodation, working with other MPs to ensure we tighten the legislation in those areas.

“I’ve had a lot of people supporting, helping, and ensuring that I can be the best MP that I can be. And I believe after 18 years of being a very good councillor, I believe this is my time to step up and show – not just the constituency, but the country – what Paulette Hamilton can do.”

Coming in second place, Robert Alden secured 6147 for the Conservatives, once again narrowing the gap between the two main parties fighting over the Birmingham Erdington seat.

Having battled it out against Jack Dromey over the past four General Elections, many thought Alden might win the longstanding Labour seat in this by-election – as concerns about the Labour run Local Authority continue to grow across the constituency.

“We’ll be taking the momentum from this election into the local elections in May,” said Alden, after the results were announced, “and it was really interesting speaking to residents during this election because they had Labour canvassers on the door saying: ‘I know you’re angry with the Labour Council, but just hold your nose and vote Labour.’

“It’s clear that Birmingham Labour has a real problem… the way they’ve treated people in the city, the way they’ve left our streets unclean, the way they’ve left the roads unfixed. And we’ll be taking that fight to them in the May elections, to challenge Birmingham Labour and hold them to account.”

He added: “What you’re seeing is a seat that’s been a Labour seat for the last 85 years and the fact that the majority is so small here today is really a damning indictment of where the Labour Party is nationally.

“A result like you’re seeing tonight is showing that the Conservative Party is very much where it was in 2019 and doing a good job in representing the country. And locally we’ll continue doing all we can to help stand up for the local area.

Despite a clear lead between the front running two parties and others on the ballot, Dave Nellist secured third place for the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) with 360 votes.

Fourth place went to Jack Brookes with 293 votes for Reform UK, narrowly beating the 236 votes won by Siobhan Harper-Nunes for the Green Party.

Lee Dargue secured 173 votes for the Liberal Democrats, whilst Michael Ludwytche was the highest ranking independent candidate with 109 votes.

Results for the remaining candidates, all securing under 100 votes each, were: Mel Mbondiah (79, Christian Peoples Alliance), Thomas O’Rourke (76, Independent), The Good Knight Sir NosDa (49, Monster Raving Loony Party), Clifton Holmes (14, Independent), and Dave Bishop (8, Church of the Militant Elvis).

But whilst celebration, commiseration, and cardboard boxes will be prominent in by-election campaign offices across Erdington tonight, announcements for candidates standing in the 5 May Local Elections are expected next week.

A General Election will soon follow, to be held in either 2023 or 2024, where the Birmingham Erdington seat will be contested again.

Paulette Hamilton (Labour) voted in as Erdington’s next Member of Paliament

ELECTION NEWS: MP hopefuls and party representatives battle it out at the only all candidate Erdington by-election hustings

By Erdington Local election news team

On Sunday, 27 February, candidates running in the Birmingham Erdington by-election got the chance to battle it out on the first election hustings – held at the GRS Lions Club, Church Road, Erdington.

Sitting in front of a packed house, with all 120 seats filled with politically engaged locals, nine of the twelve MP hopefuls and party representatives answered questions asked by Erdington residents and registered voters.

Organised by Erdington Local and Churches Together, the event was the only Erdington by-election hustings to invite all candidates to attend, with others refusing to include independent or ‘fringe’ candidates.

The Erdington Local and Churches Together hustings were chaired by Rev. Emma Sykes from St. Barnabas Church and Ed King, editor of Erdington Local.

All but the Monster Raving Loony Party and the Militant Bus Pass Elvis Party had representation, although stand ins were sent by both the Labour Party and the Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA). Tommy O’Rouke (The Peaky Blinders / Independent) withdrew last minute due to food poisoning.

Labour candidate Paulette Hamilton was unable to attend due to family arrangements, needing that Sunday to help organise her father’s funeral – who died unexpectedly at the start of her campaign. Preet Gill MP (Labour, Edgbaston) stood in for Paulette Hamilton, with the Labour Party confirming her availability on Friday, 25 February.

The CPA’s candidate, Mel Mbondiah, is a pastor in Walsall and “Sunday is a difficult day for her”, according to her campaign agent and CPA leader, Sid Corlde – despite having told Erdington Local during their campaigning on Erdington High Street the day before the party were worried about questions over LGBT issues.

Originally planned for Saturday, 26 February, the date was moved to the Sunday as no suitable venue was available on the day before, with many candidates and others involved in the event also unable to make the Saturday.

The first to formally decline, there had been no response from the Labour Party about either date as other candidates confirmed Sunday as the preferred option. Whilst the CPA showed an initial interest in both dates, the party pulled their candidate at 10:30pm the day before the hustings.

Neither the Labour Party nor the CPA requested a different day or time in order for their candidate to attend, with both parties opting to send a party representative as a stand in.

After a brief introduction, where the CPA stand in, Simon Brookes, awkwardly opened by admitting his own party’s candidate should have attended the hustings herself, the candidates and representatives took questions from selected local community groups and institutions.

Co-founder of the Erdington Community Volunteers, Jo Bull, wanted those hoping to become Erdington’s next Member of Parliament to explain how they would increase mental health provision and the availability of immediate care.

Finding herself “very much out of my comfort zone” standing in a room full of people and political candidates, Jo’s question garnered a supportive round of applause from the room and a volley of answers from the people on stage – with Lee Dargue (Lib Dems) recalling his own struggles with depression and highlighting the absurdity of metal health support ‘by appointment only’.

The Crisis Café at the Beechcroft Centre on Slade Road, a well-known and used service for local residents struggling with mental health issues, will still only see people pre-arranged and during limited opening hours.

Next to stand up was Stephen Hughes, Chair of Short Heath Fields Trust (SHFT) whose two year fiercely fought battle against Birmingham City Council resulted in a suspension of plans to build an estate on the Perry Common/Stockland Green parkland.

Following a question to all candidates about their commitment to “save and protect green spaces” such as Short Heath Playing Fields, Mr Hughes wanted clarification from Ms Gill – standing in for Paulette Hamilton – what “credence” her answers had on behalf of the absentee Labour candidate.

Determined to get this point nailed down, Mr Hughes highlighted how “Ms Hamilton repeatedly has refused to meet with our group; she is the only candidate not to come down (to Short Heath playing fields) and answer questions.”

Ms Gill responded by saying Paulette Hamilton would take over the good work done by the recently deceased Jack Dromey MP in saving the fields, which immediately irked audience members and Mr Hughes alike, who simply responded: “…it wasn’t Jack Dromey who saved the playing fields it was Short Heath Fields Trust and our community that stopped the houses being built.”

And then Ms Gill uttered perhaps the most important sentence of the night, she said: “Paulette (Hamilton) wants you to know she will get a commitment from the cabinet not to build on the playing fields.”

A statement which would mean a victory for Short Heath Playing Fields Trust, Councillor Robert Alden (Conservative) scented an open goal and ran in saying: “Councillor (Paulette) Hamilton had voted for houses to be built on the land several times as she is part of the cabinet which wanted the estate built.

“She has voted against Erdington at every opportunity.”

Mr Hughes was delighted with the commitment, he agreed: “We saved the playing fields, but we need the cabinet to say they will never build on the land.

“Preet Gill said she was speaking on behalf of Paulette Hamilton and that promise to get a commitment from the cabinet is now on the public record, I just wish she (Hamilton) would have said it herself.”

Trying to cram in as much as possible, each candidate had been allocated one minute to answer questions.

But as the evening wore on answers got longer and strayed further from the point, in some cases totally ignoring the original question.

After an initial question about what the candidates would do to improve the outside perception of Kingstanding – which got lost in translation for most of the panel, apart from independent candidate Michael Lutwyche and the Conservative’s Robert Alden – Gary Byrne, Vice Principal of Kings Rise Academy, asked what each candidate would do to help him improve and “tweak” his curriculum internally to benefit the children in Kingstanding.

With candidates proffering a volley of education based analysis and rhetoric, Mr Byrne became so frustrated at the Green candidate, Siobhan Harper-Nunes, who said she had sent her children to “alternative education”, he eventually sat after declaring the panel were “just not answering the question.”

Claire Westmacott, a volunteer from Bethany Foodbank, asked what the candidates would do for people leaving hospital care without food – but only after making the point she too had asked Paulette Hamilton (Labour) to visit her organisation but had been met with silence.

Jack Brookes (Reform UK) jumped on the question to ask his own to the audience, and the world beyond: “Do you want to freeze to death or starve to death? We need to start fracking; we have 50 years of gas under our feet.”

An ecologically questionable stance unpopular with the crowd, Mr Brookes’ comment also prompted Lee Dargue to demand “…where?”, before looking at the floor as if there was a gas field under the Church Road venue.

Having the timing and confidence of a stand up comedian, the Liberal Democrat also earned a hearty laugh from the audience by saying: “this is the cleanest mic in history” when handed the freshly cleaned microphone, which was being constantly wiped with special sanitiser throughout the evening.

However, it was not just jokes coming from Mr Darge, whose often clear and direct responses earned favour with the Erdington crowd – in an area historically underrepresented by the Liberal Democrats. With the local elections only months away, it led many in the room to wonder how the traditionally placed ‘third party’ will fare on 5 May.

Mr Lutwyche, who also grew more and more popular with the crowd for his straight talking and fiercely local approach, got a round of applause for saying nothing sickened him more than seeing a politician posing in front of a foodbank.

However, as the issue rolled down the panel, none of the candidates succeeded in giving a proper solution to the original question about those leaving hospital going home to starve.

Pastor Rasaq Ibrahim (Redeemed Christian Church of God, Erdington) asked what the candidates would do to stop street crime on Erdington High Street. In September 2021, Pastor Rasaq helped bring the nationwide Street Pastors service to the area – resulting in significant success on Erdington High Street and filling some of the gap left by cuts to community policing.

Several of the politicians reached into their bag of statistics to bolster their arguments but could often be contradicted by each others ‘facts’ and figures. Labour’s complaint Birmingham has lost 1,000 policemen under the Conservative Government was met with a Conservative statistic they had put hundreds of coppers back on the beat.

And with a Labour Police and Crime Commissioner and a Conservative Home Office, both main parties could easily blame each other for rising crime.

However, one statistic truly ridiculed by the audience was the assertion from Christian Peoples Alliance representative Simon Clarke, that 94% of prisoners were criminals without fathers; when heckled about the number he retorted the statistics included the American prison system.

But the issue so many people wanted answering was left until last, and Stockland Green resident Chris, who lives in an area blighted by HMOs and badly managed exempt accommodation, delivered it perfectly.

He wanted to know how the Conservatives and Labour would solve the problem when several of their councillors in Birmingham are HMO landlords themselves.

Prompting Robert Alden (Conservatives) and Lee Dargue (Lib Dems) to publicly clarify neither they nor their family had profited from HMOs, the question got a rowdy shout out from one audience member saying that other candidates vying to be Erdington’s next MP could not say the same.

However, the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate, Dave Nellist, who had joined in the hustings via Zoom as he was self-isolating and recovering from Covid, saved his best interjection till last.

In response to the question about HMOs, and Ms Gill’s declaration the Labour run Local Authority was having its hands tied by a Conservative Government, Mr Nellist offered actual examples of what could be done:

Mr Nellist said: “Go to Newham, a Labour run council in London, and see how they have solved the HMO problem by compulsory purchasing these properties… but Birmingham Council will not do this, why not?”

Proper old school politics, answering a question with an actual answer, the room applauded Mr Nellist ardently.

As the clock raced past the allotted two hours debating time, the chairs of the Erdington by-election hustings began to call the event to an end.

A full and engaged room, crammed with both pertinent points and empty rhetoric, the debate over Edrington’s future had raged – with every seat in the house taken by a concerned local resident looking for the best candidate to represent them in Westminster.

As people were asked to leave the venue with the spirit of democracy and not politically tribal anger, the last words spoken through a microphone surmised what had brought all these people out on a Sunday evening, with one of the evening’s chairs reminding the room: “…and don’t forget to vote on Thursday.”

Polling day for the Birmingham Erdington Parliamentary by-election is on Thursday, 3 March.

The 12 candidates contesting the seat are: Cllr Paulette Hamilton (Labour), Cllr Robert Alden (Conservative), Dave Nellist (Trade Union and Socialist Coalition), Lee Dargue (Liberal Democrats), Michael Lutwyche (Independent), Jack Brookes (Reform UK), Siobhan Harper-Nunes (Green), Thomas O’Rouke (Independent), Mel Mbondiah (Christian People’s Alliance), Clifton Holmes (Independent), David Laurence Bishop (Militant Bus-Pass Elvis Party), The Good Knight Sir NosDa (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party).