Why Birmingham seat stuck with Labour - 'Erdington needs bringing back to life'

Voters in Erdington have revealed why they got behind Labour’s Paulette Hamilton, and what they want their new MP to tackle.

Neelam Aslam, a trainee solicitor who is 32, said: “I voted for Labour even though it was gushing down with rain.

“Paulette has lived around here for a lot of years and I remember her.

“Erdington needs rejuvenating and bringing back to life. The area doesn’t feel as safe as it used to and we need more shops in the high street.

Paulette Hamilton won the Birmingham Erdington by-election (PA)

“Paulette is a really nice lady and nurses are really caring. Jack Dromey was a lovely, lovely man and Paulette has a lot to live up to.”

Naz Mohammed, a 49-year-old laundrette owner, said he had known Ms Hamilton “really well”, adding: “She used to come here and wash her clothes. I think if she follows Jack Dromey’s legacy, she will make a good MP.

Neelam Aslam said Erdington 'needs rejuvinating' (Reach Commissioned)

Naz Mohammed said he had known Ms Hamilton 'really well' (Reach Commissioned)

“There are some homeless people who need help here and I hope Paulette can sort that out. We need more police on the streets, too. I hope she can do as she promises and get Erdington cleaned up.”

Sidan White, 44, owns a barbers shop on Slade Road. He told the Mirror: “Jack Dromey came here before elections and after them - and I hope Paulette does the same.

“We are concerned about knife crime and anti-social behaviour. I think the police are doing their best but kids between 12 and 19 are carrying knives.”

Sidan White owns a barbers shop on Slade Road (Reach Commissioned)

Fatima Hussein hopes the new MP will tackle knife crime (Reach Commissioned)

Fatima Hussein, a 44-year-old sales assistant, said: “Sometimes I think they’re all the same but hopefully she will do well. Public safety is important to voters here.

“I really want her to tackle knife crime because there are so many stabbings and the police seem to be going after the wrong people.”

Colin Morgan, a 48-year-old shop worker, said he never considered backing the Tories even though he’d been disappointed with the Labour-run Birmingham City Council.

Colin Morgan said he had seen little evidence of the Government's 'levelling up' plans and voted Labour. (Reach Commissioned)

He said he’d seen little evidence of the Government’s “levelling up” plans and voted Labour.

“I hope Paulette can do something about getting bin collections sorted as they are a problem,” he said.

“The Government could do more to sort the roads out too because there’s a lot of potholes.”