After considerable reflection, I have decided to resign my membership of the Labour Party with immediate effect. I joined and supported Labour for the best part of my life because I believed in a political movement rooted in working people, strong local democracy, equality, justice, fairness and genuine internal pluralism. I no longer believe it reflects those principles. I also wish to place on record my serious concerns about the current state of the Birmingham Labour Group. Far too often, questions from members are ignored or left unanswered, and there is little to no meaningful feedback loop between leadership and those expected to deliver decisions on the ground. This is not an isolated issue but a consistent culture of avoidance and opacity. In my view, the current local leadership lacks the experience, judgement, and political competence required to effectively manage a group in a city as complex and demanding as Birmingham. These are matters of personal experience and perception, but they have contributed to a loss of confidence in internal processes and accountability. I, like my ward colleague were troubled by expectations placed on representatives to support the elevation of councillors from Reform UK into influential committee positions. Many residents view Reform UK as a party that has contributed to hostility toward Muslims and minority communities. I am also deeply concerned by the direction of Labour’s immigration policy, which appears increasingly shaped by political expediency rather than principle or long-term vision. In conversations with residents in Bromford and Hodge Hill, this has been a recurring concern, with many expressing anxieties about how recent policy shifts are being communicated and implemented, and a sense that communities like ours are often talked about rather than listened to. Most recently, I was deeply disappointed by Andy Burnham’s refusal to describe the events unfolding in Gaza, Palestine as a genocide, despite the scale of devastation and civilian loss that has shocked people across the world. I am also dismayed by the refusal of many senior Labour figures to clearly acknowledge the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Palestine. The most recent reports suggest more than 72,991 Palestinians have been killed. This has not been an abstract debate but a deeply felt rupture for many people, particularly within Muslim communities, who feel their concerns and humanity have not been properly recognised or reflected. This growing disconnect is also increasingly reflected in recent survey evidence. A Muslim census report found that only 7% of the Muslim respondents in its local election sample reported voting for Labour. It is apparent where Labour support does persist, it is often closely tied to established family, friendship or local political networks rather than broader political engagement with the party. I no longer recognise the Labour Party as a genuinely broad, democratic political movement. It has become more managerial, centralised, and constrained in its tolerance of internal difference, both locally and nationally. For these reasons, I can no longer remain a member in good conscience. There remain many committed individuals within the party who continue to serve their communities with integrity and dedication, and I wish them well. I also hope that serious reflection takes place on the direction the party is travelling in and the values it now represents. My views no longer fit comfortably within a Labour Party. Ultimately, the Labour Party has left me, not the other way around. I will continue to work to represent the people of Bromford and Hodge Hill with my ward colleague Cllr Diane Donaldson and to stand up for the communities and values that first led me into public service.

We owe those who serve the UK the kit to do the job and the loyalty to stand by them when it's done. We are failing on both. I’ve spent my whole time in government making that case. Number 10 will not listen, so I am resigning as Minister for the Armed Forces. Letter to the PM below.🫡🫡🫡⬇️⬇️

So happy to be a @JSchofieldTrust mentor again, this time for the ace @haleemasaheed 🙌🏾 Great to draw up her goals today for the next year - Haleema has amazing plans. I'll always be so grateful to the scheme for bringing @stanchers into my life - it changed everything 🙌🏾

It's so wonderful when a former @JSchofieldTrust mentee moves on in their career and becomes a mentor in their turn ... a virtuous circle is completed - thank you @naomi_desouza and @stanchers for all you do to help upcoming generations of journalists.