A Birmingham city councillor has severed ties with the Labour Party amidst escalating tensions surrounding a new pest control fee and the ongoing bin strike that is gripping the city.
Sam Forsyth, representing Quinton ward, formally announced her resignation during Tuesday’s full council meeting, stating she was “no longer a member of the Labour Party.” This action followed her previous automatic suspension last month for refusing to endorse the party’s proposed budget cuts. Forsyth, a barrister and advocate for poverty reduction, described the situation as untenable.
“I didn’t enter politics to complicate the lives of those already struggling; I know firsthand what that hardship entails,” she stated following the meeting.
The contentious £24.60 pest control charge was implemented last year as part of a broader effort by the council to address significant financial shortfalls. Prior to this, rat control services were provided free of charge to all Birmingham residents. While council tenants remain exempt from the fee, the charges are levied on private accommodation holders irrespective of their income. This introduction has occurred at an especially inopportune moment, coinciding with a severe bin strike that has fueled a surge in rodent populations.
Forsyth had previously opposed last year’s budget and voiced her concerns regarding the pest control charge within the Labour group before being suspended. She emphasized to the BBC the urgent need for a more responsive waste management system, particularly concerning vulnerable residents.
The bin strike, now entering its fifth week, has triggered what officials are calling a public health emergency. An estimated 21,000 tonnes of uncollected refuse currently litter Birmingham’s streets; the situation escalated to the point where Birmingham City Council declared a major incident on March 31st. The dispute originated from disagreements between the council and the Unite union concerning waste recycling roles, commencing on March 11th.
* Private pest control services report a threefold increase in rat infestations, with anecdotal evidence suggesting rodents are thriving on the accumulating refuse.
* Despite “intensive talks” between the council and Unite, no resolution has been reached.
* Health Secretary has expressed serious concerns regarding the deteriorating public health situation.
Forsyth highlighted her deep concern over the impact of this charge on vulnerable individuals. “The £24 fee may seem insignificant to some, but for those utilizing the Quinton food bank, it could represent a choice between purchasing food and controlling pests—a choice many simply cannot afford,” she explained. She cautioned that this situation creates “a perfect storm,” potentially leading people to attempt ineffective self-treatment of infestations.
“Perhaps my own experiences with rats during childhood have heightened my sensitivity to this issue,” Forsyth admitted. “Rats are frightening; they carry disease… it’s not something we should treat casually.”
Conservative councillor Clifton Welch, representing the Kingstanding area, welcomed Forsyth’s departure from Labour. “Birmingham Labour’s ‘rat tax’ would be unacceptable in any circumstances, but to introduce it amidst a crippling bin strike and with 21,000 tonnes of waste piled on our streets is vindictive and callous,” he stated. Welch encouraged other Labour councillors to demonstrate similar courage by resigning their party memberships.
The already tense situation was further amplified when a resident arrived at Tuesday’s council meeting dressed as a giant rat, sarcastically thanking officials for allowing rodents to “rampage through the city’s streets.”
