Independent wins Perry Barr as Labour sweeps to power

An independent candidate has won Birmingham Perry Barr, ending more than two decades of Labour representation, on a night when Labour won a landslide victory across the country.

Ayoub Khan took the seat from Labour's Khalid Mahmood, who had been its MP since 2001, in the general election held on 4 July.

A national landslide

Labour won a large majority in the House of Commons, and Sir Keir Starmer has become Prime Minister, ending 14 years of Conservative government. In England, Labour won the most seats in every region for the first time.

But Labour also lost a small number of previously safe seats to independent candidates, including Perry Barr. The independents, most of them in constituencies with large Muslim populations, campaigned in opposition to Labour's stance on the war in Gaza.

Close calls in the city

Elsewhere in Birmingham, Labour held most of its seats, but some were closer than expected. In Yardley, Jess Phillips held on by a narrow margin after a strong challenge from the Workers Party of Britain. Other independent candidates also polled strongly in parts of the city.

In Northfield, Labour's Laurence Turner won the seat back from the Conservatives, who had taken it in 2019.

In Sutton Coldfield, the Conservatives held on, with Andrew Mitchell keeping the seat he has held since 2001.

New boundaries

The election was fought on new boundaries, following a review of parliamentary constituencies across the country, which changed the shape of several Birmingham seats. Turnout was lower than at recent general elections, both nationally and in many parts of Birmingham.

Birmingham MPs in government

Several Birmingham MPs are expected to play a prominent role in the new government. Shabana Mahmood, the MP for Ladywood, has been appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

What it means for the city

The new government faces many issues of direct concern to Birmingham, not least the state of the city council's finances. The council issued a section 114 notice last year and is being overseen by government-appointed commissioners, with deep cuts to services and a council tax rise of almost 10 per cent already agreed.

Council leader John Cotton, a Labour councillor, is expected to press the new government for support. Other pressing issues include housing, the cost of living, the future of HS2's Curzon Street station, and investment in the city's transport and regeneration.

For Perry Barr, the result marks a significant change. The constituency, in the north west of the city, includes some of Birmingham's most deprived neighbourhoods, and has seen major investment in recent years, including the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium and new homes built for the Commonwealth Games. Its new MP will be expected to make sure local people feel the benefits.