Birmingham City Council

The UKs largest metropolitan council holds 101 seats in 69 districts.

Despite losing two council members in 2018, the Labor Party won 65 seats to maintain its majority. The Conservatives lost three seats, but remained the second-largest party with 22 seats.

It was then that the Tories retained control of the Council of Sixteen despite losing two seats.

Earlier on Friday, it was confirmed that Birmingham City Council Labor leader Ian Ward had retained his fraction and seat.

He said he was "delighted" to be re-elected and had served for 27 years.

Speaking after the final result, Mr Ward said it was a "swing and whirlwind" for the Labor Party.

"We came into the election campaign with 65 seats and came out with 65 seats," he said.

"The 2018 election was a high point so repeating it is a great election result for Birmingham Labor.

"The Tories lost five seats to us, and in return we lost four seats to the Lib Dems and one Green."

Conservative group leader Robert Alden said he would accept responsibility for any damage, rather than blaming Boris Johnson for his local performance.

Protestors march through Birmingham city centre in solidarity with Palestinians

Over a thousand people gathered in Birmingham this afternoon to protest in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli military bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Passions were running high as between 1,500 and 2,000 people turned out in Victoria Square to show solidarity with Palestine before marching through the city centre, waving banners and chanting slogans.
Gathering outside the Birmingham City Council House from 2pm, the rally was led by speakers representing anti-war organisations, trade unions and anti-racist groups.

Braving the rain, attendees held up placards and home-made signs calling for an end to air strikes in the Middle Eastern region and for the UK government to intervene. The action comes after thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee their homes after days of sustained attacks.

After an hour of speeches and chants, activists brought together their banners and flags for an impromptu march, as a river of protesters flowed through New Street and High Street before looping back towards Colmore Row and returning to Victoria Square.

Chanting “Free Palestine”, families, students and community leaders joined the rally – the fourth in Birmingham in a fortnight – calling for peace and justice in the Middle Eastern region.