In Birmingham, ReformUK Ltd, the largest party has declined to form a local administration (there's no prospective coalition partners), while Labour (the previous administration) will not form any coalition, leaving the Green Party of England & Wales to the (impossible?) task of forming an administration for the largest local authority in Europe.
Might this be Reform looking to avoid any more mistakes in local Govt. while giving the Greens a 'fools errand' likely to fail?
#Birmingham
h/t FT
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Reform, Greens and pro-Gaza independents make significant gains, although no party has yet won majorityNeha Gohil (the Guardian)
Arena in Birmingham cleared after report of suspicious bag, with comedian pulled from stage mid-performanceCharlie Moloney (the Guardian)
Comedian pulled from stage in Birmingham about 45 minutes into performance and audience told to leaveRaphael Boyd (the Guardian)
Long-running dispute could be resolved as improved offer is made to workers, who first began strike in January 2025Jessica Murray (the Guardian)
Staff are handing over sandwiches from behind a theft-proof counter as the high street fights backSimon Goodley (the Guardian)
Campaign is said to be first time Labour-affiliated Unison is lobbying en masse against a key party policyDiane Taylor (the Guardian)
Some fear a fragmented field of hopefuls from Labour, the Conservatives, Greens, Reform and Independents could leave city ungovernableNeha Gohil (the Guardian)
Review of original train order is meant to prevent service problems north of Birmingham, but it may do the oppositeGwyn Topham (the Guardian)
Unite accuses authority of trying to ‘break’ industrial action as waste dispute enters second yearNeha Gohil (the Guardian)
