From Manifesto to Mandate: What’s Changing and Why It Matters Now

In 2022, BRIG published a Race Equality Manifesto for Birmingham, setting out a clear set of asks to political leaders across areas such as education, employment, accountability and leadership.

Since then, there has been important progress. Most notably, senior leaders and partner organisations have adopted the ambition for Birmingham to become a world-leading anti-racist city by 2035, and the best place for young people to grow up.

But we are now at a different point.

Over the past year, tensions have become more visible across the city. Debates such as “raise the flags” and wider disagreements about identity, belonging and whose voices count are not isolated incidents. They reflect a growing lack of agreement about the city’s direction, at a time of increasing political polarisation and rapid demographic change.

At the same time, communities have not stayed silent.

People have come together in response, including through the emergence of Unite the People—a grassroots initiative bringing together communities, organisations and activists. It is creating space for dialogue, solidarity and collective action, with further activity planned in the coming months.

With local elections approaching, there is likely to be new leadership within the council. There is no guarantee that existing commitments will be carried forward in the same way.

That is why the shift is being made from a manifesto to a community mandate.

What’s the Difference?

A manifesto brings together shared priorities and presents them to those in power, who can then decide if and how to respond.

A mandate is different. It reflects what communities have consistently said needs to change and sets out expectations that those in power will be held accountable for how they respond.

Over the past few years—including at the 2024 Race Summit and the Community Mandate Workshop on 21 March 2026—clear and consistent messages have emerged from people across the city.

These are not new issues, but issues that have persisted.

People spoke about commitments not being followed through, and the lack of consequences when that happens. There were repeated calls for stronger accountability, including clearer targets, regular reporting, and a more active role for communities in holding institutions to account.

Education was a major focus. This included calls to decolonise the curriculum, teach a fuller and more honest history, and ensure anti-racism is embedded across schools and teacher training.

There was also a strong emphasis on investment in communities, particularly youth provision, community spaces and grassroots organisations, alongside concerns about the loss of these spaces over time.

Running through all of this was a deeper issue: trust. Many expressed a lack of confidence that institutions are acting on existing evidence or holding themselves accountable in visible and meaningful ways.

The mandate brings these concerns together into a shared position. It is not owned by BRIG—it is shaped by communities.

Why This Matters Now

The commitment to becoming an anti-racist city is significant, but it is not guaranteed. Changes in political leadership can lead to shifts in priorities, loss of focus, or commitments being diluted or quietly dropped.

The mandate is designed to ensure that this does not happen without challenge. It clearly sets out community expectations and provides a basis for holding elected representatives to account.

It also pushes the conversation further.

Becoming an anti-racist city is not just about responding to immediate problems. It requires long-term structural change, including:

·       Education across all stages, with a fuller and more honest account of history

·       Sustained investment in youth and community infrastructure

·       Clear systems to track progress and challenge inaction

·       Valuing lived experience alongside organisational data in decision-making

What Happens Next

BRIG, alongside partners, is organising a public husting to:

·       Hear directly from election candidates

·       Ask how they will respond to the Community Mandate

·       Understand what commitments they are prepared to make

This work takes place at a significant moment. The forthcoming Birmingham Black Policing Charter event will be held on Stephen Lawrence Day, a day that highlights both the consequences of institutional failure and the continuing need for accountability and change.

Get Involved

If you care about the direction of your city, this is a moment to take part.

Attend the hustings.
Ask questions.
Listen to the answers.
Use what you hear to inform your choices.

A mandate only has impact if people use it—and if those in power know they will be held to it.

To find out more about the hustings, including the date and location, email: info@wearebrig.co.uk.