We visited Birmingham area tired of feeling abandoned where 'one thing' could change so much

A frustrated man sighs. 'We need change' he tells us in a Birmingham area that has lost so much faith in government. Hodge Hill is one of the most deprived constituencies in the city.

Residents feel crime, speeding and littering are rampant. Labour MP Liam Byrne has represented the area since 2004 but residents say they had enough of the party's alleged broken promises. We visited Ward End Park on June 28 and found residents whose parents and grandparents voted for Labour. Those residents now refuse to continue the tradition.

The visit also revealed how important Gaza is to the Muslim vote, with many residents blasting both Labour and Conservative over a lack of action on the conflict. We asked locals about their pressing issues ahead of the general election on July 4.

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Hodge Hill and Solihull North constituency now covers Shard End, Washwood Heath, Hodge Hill, Castle Bromwich and Smith's Wood following boundary changes. Mizmar, 35, said: "Youth crime, youth involvement in drugs and education of the youth. There is a lack of funding and there isn't enough social mobility in Hodge Hill.

"If one thing could change this place it's increasing social mobility and that can only happen through investment. Why isn't the investment there?

"We've had the same people as members of parliament like Liam Byrne, the same councillors, same party and nothing has increased. If anything it has decreased.

"Hodge Hill deserves change, Ward End should not feel like this is fate."

Waseem Yaqub OBE, 59, did not hold back on his disappointment with Labour: "The failure of Labour to deliver anything for the last 25 years. A generation or two generations have voted for Labour and people feel it's worthless and that they have been taken for granted.

"We have to make a protest vote, we have a chance to be a monumental movement to show the ordinary person has a voice. Drug crime is everywhere, fly-tipping is obnoxious and the police are not here when you need them. The whole community is disillusioned with Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer."

Local activist Abu Umaymah, 20, mentioned lack of action over Gaza influencing his vote. He said: "We have a lot of issues including knife crime and gun crime, many young children falling victim to this.

"We have a seen huge cut down of youth services and clubs, we are hoping through this election many people who are standing will resolve this. We have seen many candidates step up because of the pro-Palestinian movement and it is important when the people are asking for support and a ceasefire, we have the right candidates in place to be able to address these concerns in a parliamentary position."

Here is a full list of candidates standing in Birmingham Hodge Hill:

• Liam Byrne - Labour

• Caroline Clapper - Conservative

• Qasim Esak - Liberal Democrats

• James Giles - Workers Party of GB

• Imran Ali Khan - Green Party

• Jamie Pullin - Reform UK

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