Reform UK has made its final pitch to Birmingham voters ahead of the city council elections on Thursday, May 7, with candidate Jex Parkin declaring, "Our time is now." The 24-year-old, contesting the Kingstanding seat, has been the face of the party's local campaign, appearing at hustings and public events to argue for change against more seasoned opponents.
Parkin is one of 101 Reform candidates standing across all available seats in Birmingham, aiming for an outright majority of 51 seats or, failing that, to become the largest party and gain leverage in coalition talks. They face competition from the Conservatives, Green Party, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, all fielding full slates, along with 27 Workers' Party candidates, seven Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates, five Your Party candidates, and more than 70 independents.
Parkin's Message to Voters
In his direct appeal, Parkin wrote: "As a Reform UK candidate in the Birmingham council elections, I walk the same streets you do every day. I see the mountains of uncollected rubbish spilling onto pavements in Sparkhill and Small Heath. I dodge the crater-like potholes that turn our roads into an obstacle course from Erdington to Edgbaston. And I hear from frustrated families who've watched our once-proud city slide into decline under decades of the same old politics. Enough is enough."
Bin Strike Crisis
Parkin highlighted the ongoing refuse workers' strike, which began in early 2025 and has lasted over a year. Recycling collections are suspended indefinitely, and general waste collection is sporadic, handled by expensive agency staff. In March 2025, the council declared a major incident after 17,000 tonnes of waste accumulated on streets, leading to rats, maggots, and fly-tipping. The cost to taxpayers has exceeded £33 million and continues to rise. "This isn't just a strike; it's a symbol of total failure," Parkin said.
Pothole Problem
Parkin also condemned the state of Birmingham's roads, noting that the council resurfaced only 1.5 miles of 60 miles of backroads needing urgent repair in 2024-25—just 2.5 percent. Thousands of pothole reports flood in monthly, causing vehicle damage and safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians. "Labour has mismanaged the highways budget for years," he added.
HMO Crisis
The candidate criticized the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which he said has devastated communities. Thousands of family homes have been converted into HMOs and "exempt accommodation," often clustered in wards like Erdington and Hall Green, leading to overflowing bins, anti-social behavior, and loss of community cohesion. Even Labour figures have admitted the "unchecked proliferation" is "crippling neighborhoods," yet the council has been slow to act.
Financial Catastrophe
Parkin pointed to Labour's financial mismanagement, including the Section 114 notice issued in September 2023, effectively declaring bankruptcy. Equal pay liabilities ballooned to nearly £1 billion, the Oracle IT system wasted tens of millions, and billions in assets were sold off. Council tax has risen 21 percent in two years, yet services have been slashed. "Birmingham, once the workshop of the world, now feels like a failing state," he said.
Reform UK's Vision
Parkin promised that Reform UK would end the bin strikes with fair pay deals demanding productivity, fix roads properly by ring-fencing highways money and holding contractors accountable, and cut waste and bureaucracy so council tax delivers services. He also pledged to restore pride in the city with cleaner streets, safer roads, and stronger communities.
"The old parties have had their chance and failed spectacularly. Reform is the fresh start Birmingham desperately needs. On 7 May, don't reward failure. Vote Reform UK and let's take our city back," Parkin concluded.
