Birmingham Election Candidates Urged to Take a Stand Against Racism
With the Birmingham local elections 2026 approaching on 7 May, Brummies United Against Racism is calling on all candidates to publicly commit to tackling racism and rejecting divisive politics.
The organisation has launched a pledge inviting candidates to stand for an inclusive and united Birmingham. This comes amid growing concerns about increasingly hostile rhetoric across politics, media, and social platforms, alongside troubling incidents reported locally — including attacks on residents, racist graffiti targeting a mosque, and reports of far-right groups attempting to influence young people online.
Brummies United says the pledge is about transparency as much as accountability. Voters will be able to clearly see which candidates are willing to stand against racism, which have declined, and which have yet to respond.
Candidates Who Have Signed the Pledge
A wide range of candidates across multiple parties have already signed. These include:
Labour Party
O’SHEA, John
O’SHEA, Luisella
LOCKE, Mary
LOCKLEY, Ben
LOVELL-HUCKLE, Seb
PHILAJA, Stephen
RAI, Esther
ROBERTS, Jessica
SHAIKH, Zarine
SULEMAN, Saima
TRICKETT, Lisa
UDDIN, Mahtab
WALDEN, Lauren
YOUNAS, Sarina
BENTON, Sally
BRENNAN, Nicky
DOSANJH, Satvir
DOUGLAS, Eleanor
FOWLES, Tyrone
GULIA, Kiran
HOLROYD, Stewart
HUSSAIN, Sohail
IROH, Katherine
KAUR, Narinder
KAUR KOONER, Narinder
KAUR KULAR, Randeep
BARNETT, Francis
BEGUM, Rasheda
ALI, Muhammad
AKHTAR, Shamila
Green Party
KHAN, Sadia
LEE ROBERTS, Bryn
MACEFIELD, John
MORGNER, Liron
NASEEM, Sal
ORME, Jerry
PEACOCK, Joe
PHILLIP, Jordan
PROSSER, Oscar
ROONEY, Joe
SALIM, Haroon
SHEIKH, Hamzah
SHEMMANS, Jo
TREHARNE JONES, Phillippa
WINTER, Richard
YASIR, Muhammad
ADKINS, Michael
AFTAB, Safina
ALI, Duncan
ASHTON, Oliver
AUTON, Ben
BAKER, AC
BALLARD, Harry
BASTON, Jane
BHATTI, Abbas
BLOXHAM, David
CHRISTOFFERSEN, Mette
FITT, Rob
FOWLER, Corinne
FRESHWATER, Ed
GARGHAN, Chris
HARPER-NUNES, Siobhan
HAWWASH, Kamel
HINDLEY, Jo
HUMPHREYS, Raheem
Liberal Democrats
NOOR, Zoobia
KNOWLES, Izzy
MAY, Richard
STANTON, Elly
WAGG, Cat
WAGG, Penny
WILKINSON, Anthony L
WILKINSON, Jenny
ANTON, Christopher
BUNTING, Joshua
CLARKE, Rebecca
CORRIGAN, Carmel
COX, Emily
Independent
KHALID, Nosheen
KHAN, Amar
LAL, Chaman
MARAGH, Deborah
ABBAS, Raihaan
CRESSMAN, Gary
Why This Pledge Matters
At its core, the pledge is about setting a standard for leadership in Birmingham. In a city known for its diversity, the commitment to stand against racism is not symbolic — it directly impacts community safety, cohesion, and trust in local government.
By asking candidates to take a public stance, Brummies United is ensuring that voters are informed. It also sends a clear message: silence or neutrality on racism is no longer acceptable in public office.
The initiative highlights a broader issue — that divisive narratives, whether online or offline, have real-world consequences. From intimidation to hate crimes, the effects are felt most by vulnerable communities.
A Call to Action
Candidates who have not yet signed are being urged to do so and confirm their position directly with the organisation. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to stay informed and hold their local representatives accountable.
For more information, updates, and to see the full list of candidates’ positions, follow Instagram and search for Brummies United Against Racism.