Birmingham divided as extraordinary local election looms

There is something in the air in Birmingham and it's not the faint whiff of overflowing wheelie bins. The UK's second city could be about to see the biggest political shake-up in more than a decade. Labour has been in power here for 14 years, but come polling day on 7 May that could all change. The unresolved 14-month long bin strike and council bankruptcy - something the authority insists is now in the past - means confidence in the leadership is shaky to say the least. Add in the political uncertainty nationally and what will happen in the local election is anyone's guess. Polls suggest Birmingham's electorate has fully embraced five-party politics, with a healthy number of independent candidates giving city voters a sixth option. Reform UK is feeling confident in several parts of the city, with the Green Party and independents anticipating gains amid a rising tide of frustration. It means the make-up of the council - Labour currently holds 65 of 101 seats - could significantly change in just over two weeks' time. However, it's possible that those who have always ticked Labour will continue to do so. "That's what will happen here, I'm sure of it," says one man walking along Spark