The leader of Birmingham City Council has emerged as a prominent voice in the ongoing political turbulence surrounding the Prime Minister's leadership, joining a growing chorus of Labour figures expressing public support for Sir Keir Starmer.
Council Leader Emphasises Changing Lives Over Leadership
Councillor John Cotton, who leads Birmingham City Council, has made a significant intervention in the national political debate by declaring the Labour Party's priority is to "change lives, not leaders." This statement comes during a particularly challenging period for the Prime Minister, following the resignation of his chief of staff and calls from within the party for leadership change.
Labour's Record Under Scrutiny
In a social media post, Cotton highlighted what he described as Labour's achievements under Starmer's leadership, stating: "Under Keir Starmer's leadership wages are up, waiting lists are down and councils are finally getting the backing they need to repair the damage of Tory austerity." This defence of the government's record comes at a crucial moment for both national and local politics.
The Birmingham council leader's intervention carries particular weight given the city's recent financial challenges. The Labour-run authority, which declared itself effectively bankrupt in September 2023, has implemented unprecedented service cuts, council tax increases, and asset disposals totalling more than £250 million to address its financial crisis.
Local Context and Recovery Efforts
Birmingham City Council faces an all-out election in just under three months, adding political significance to Cotton's statements. The council has recently announced it is no longer technically 'bankrupt,' though significant challenges remain. Local issues including the equal pay debacle and problematic IT system implementation contributed substantially to the authority's financial difficulties.
Labour councillors have consistently pointed to funding cuts during the previous Conservative government as a major factor in Birmingham's financial crisis. In a statement issued last week, Cotton outlined the council's future direction, saying it would intensify collaboration with Labour West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and the national government to "invest in our communities, delivering the homes, jobs and services that the people of this city deserve."
Political Reactions and Opposition Criticism
The council leader's comments have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Conservative councillor Robert Alden, who leads the opposition, responded forcefully: "Three years ago, the Labour administration effectively bankrupted the council. Council tax has rocketed, while services have been slashed."
Liberal Democrats group leader Roger Harmer added his condemnation, stating: "It is beyond shocking to hear that Labour, the party responsible for bankrupting our city, is now patting itself on the back and claiming to have fixed the issue. Birmingham's council bosses should hang their heads in shame after the pain they've caused local people here."
Looking Forward with Caution
Despite the improved financial position, Cotton maintains a cautious outlook. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the council's recovery journey, he acknowledged: "There's absolutely no complacency and we've still got an improvement journey to complete. What I will say is that this council is a very different organisation to the one I took over leadership of three years ago."
The council leader's public support for Starmer comes as the Prime Minister faces pressure from within his own party, including from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar who has called for his resignation. The political landscape remains volatile as Birmingham prepares for local elections while continuing its challenging financial recovery process.
