Overview
- The Lib Dem leader, who launched the Birmingham campaign on Friday, set out a local manifesto focused on cleaner streets, safer parks, new housing and handing more decisions to neighbourhoods.
- Davey paired the local plan with a national £20 billion, three‑month relief package that would cut fuel by 12p per litre, trim rail fares by 10% and cap bus fares at £1 to ease travel costs for families.
- The party ruled out any coalition or deal with Reform UK, with Davey saying Reform’s politics run counter to Liberal Democrat values.
- Lib Dems are fielding candidates in all 101 seats and aim to grow from 13 councillors, with leaders saying a hung council is plausible and that any administration choices will follow the vote.
- The campaign targets Labour over a long bins strike and past equal pay and IT contract liabilities, as workers claim £8,000 pay cuts that the council disputes and the leader says a £300m gap has been closed.