Ed Davey declares “it is time for change in Birmingham” as he launches local election campaign

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey has launched the Liberal Democrat local election campaign manifesto in Birmingham, as the party sets out its plan to deliver for residents across the city, declaring “it is time for change in Birmingham”.

At the launch event today [Friday 10 April], the Birmingham Liberal Democrats will set out their platform to deliver a cleaner Birmingham, safer streets and parks, tackle the housing crisis and let local communities set priorities.

During Labour’s time in office, Birmingham has fallen behind compared with the UK’s other major cities: it is now ranked as the most deprived local authority area in England by income deprivation, with areas that contain the highest levels of child poverty in the country.

The Liberal Democrats are running their biggest election effort in a generation, aiming to make serious gains across the city and unseat the Labour council leadership, whose approval has tanked following years of mismanagement, not least over the infamous bin strike in the city. Today’s visit from party leader Ed Davey follows a number of trips made by senior party figures to campaign across the city. Amongst many senior visitors were Daisy Cooper (Deputy Leader, Treasury Spokesperson, MP for St Albans), Baron Mohammed of Tinsley, MP Layla Moran (MP for Oxford West and Abingdon),  Wendy Chamberlain (Chief Whip, MP for North East Fife), and others.

On his trip to Birmingham, Davey also set out our party’s proposals for an emergency support package for families across the country, as the fallout from Trump’s idiotic Iran war continues to keep costs high.

The party has set out plans for a £20 billion package to cut fuel prices by 12p per litre, saving drivers £6.60 every time they fill up their tank, as well as 10% off rail fares and capping bus fares to £1.

Birmingham commuters to London could save £70 a month under the policy, which would last for three months, while those travelling between Nottingham and Birmingham could pocket an extra £50 monthly. Bus commuters who travel to and from work each day could save a huge £86 a month.

Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:
 

“Families across Birmingham are being forced to pay the price for a senseless war in the Middle East as well as a cost-of-living crisis that this Government has done nothing to end.

“But the struggle isn't just national. Birmingham Labour has let local residents down badly. Their catastrophic mismanagement has bankrupted the Council and left streets in a mess.

“It’s time for change in Birmingham, and it’s the Liberal Democrats who have a positive alternative. From cleaning up the city following the endless bin strikes, to cracking down on unsafe driving on our roads and ending the housing shortage that is affecting too many, we have a real plan to deliver for local families.

“Birmingham deserves better than the extremes of the right and left, whose point-scoring would only spell disaster for our city. A vote for the Liberal Democrats on 7 May is a vote for a local champion who will get things done.”