Stunned Tories in Birmingham are silent as exit poll predicts demise, while Labor campaigners rejoice

The exit poll predicting a Labor landslide across the country brought relief and joy to party campaigners and councilors arriving at the count in Birmingham this evening. But disheartened Tories remained silent as they reflected on an exit poll that predicted a meltdown.

Cllr Lisa Trickett, who represents Kings Heath and Brandwood, said nothing was certain until the results were confirmed but the exit poll suggested a “fantastic” night. “That’s brilliant, the country needs a strong and secure Labor majority so we can rebuild a broken Britain. How it plays out in certain constituencies in Birmingham is yet to be seen, but it looks very positive.

“We didn’t take anything for granted, we worked day and night to get our message to the voters and get them out to vote. Our activists and volunteers were simply brilliant, from 15 to 80 years old, they took to the streets. and the phones to show people what Labor has to offer. New people have joined us, determined to get the Tories out and in.

“The feedback on the doorstep has been a real hope, that people believe Labor will bring about change.”

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Exit polling suggested Labor could take all ten seats in Birmingham for the first time, with Andrew Mitchell’s Sutton Coldfield seat thought to be at risk. In the Black Country, every seat was set to turn red, along with previously Tory safe seats such as Lichfield, Stourbridge and Wyre Forest.

Cllr Kerry Jenkins, Labor councilor in Moseley, said things were looking incredibly positive. But she also acknowledged that in some places across the city, independent candidates sent a strong and powerful message that Labor must heed in power.

“People have shared a lot of feedback and concerns on the doorstep and we absolutely respect and understand those concerns. They want us to be strong on the ceasefire, in our call for a two-state solution, and we have supported those calls.

“Keir Starmer has told the people of Birmingham that he is listening to the concerns about Gaza and will act on them and we will see that response,” she added.

Council veteran and former leader Sir Albert Bore, who represents the Ladywood ward, said he had been waiting 14 years for this night. “We worked for this result and many of us wanted to believe it would happen, but the exit poll seems to be decisive and it looks like a fantastic night ahead.” But he also sounded a note of caution. “We will not celebrate until we see the results,” he said.

But conservatives in the CPI remained tight-lipped. Several activists looked disheartened as they crowded the corridor outside the counting hall. Cllr Alex Yip, who represents a Sutton Coldfield ward where Mr Mitchell was at risk, said it was not yet time to comment on the result, focusing entirely on the count.