We visited the 'no faith' Birmingham suburb fed up of drugs and broken cemeteries

Walking through Yardley there is an air of misery. Shattered glass litters the streets as graffiti decorates Subway shutters, a man nearby smokes a cigarette on a bench.

When I approach him asking for his thoughts on the general election, he snapped "What's the point? Nothing will change." This line sums up a constituency fed up with politicians they feel have let them down. Their are words coloured with irritation as they bemoan rampant drug use, theft, litter, homelessness and even neglected cemeteries where grave stones lay shattered.

That is not to say the entire constituency is a mess. Residents insist they love their home and some have lived carefree lives never witnessing the anti-social behaviour. For residents stuck between Sheldon and Bordesley Green however, they demand politicians pull their beloved home out of the gutter.

Read more: Foo Fighters in Birmingham review - Dave Grohl's 'super surprises' made Villa Park history

POLL: Do you think your vote will make a difference?

We visited Yardley constituency on June 27 to ask locals about the most important election issues for them. Darren Mackenzie, 53, owner of Ripe n Ready Florist & Garden Centre, said: "It's just the area. I have been here for 25 years and it's all the alcoholics, all the druggies, theft, crime and lack of cleaning.

"They are constantly trying to pinch our stock and police don't do nothing about it and they just constantly pinch from everywhere. The area is a mess, the bins have not been emptied for a week and there's no cleaning anymore.

"You just give up because it's just a problem and horrible, but we love the area and live here."

Local activist John Gilmore, 53, has been campaigning for months against neglected cemeteries in Birmingham. He said: "Here at Yardley and cemeteries in Birmingham there has been such a lack of investment for many years and we have some horrific areas of decline and neglect.

"It is a battle to get grass cut properly in between graves, to get weeds pulled out, railings repairs, signage up to date or whatever it may be. I have had a good MP in Jess Phillips however the Labour council in this city I am ashamed of them because I can't see what they do for this city.

"When you travel around other areas of Birmingham it looks like an absolute dump and it's a disgrace. I am frustrated and angry with Labour so you do think, who do I vote for?"

Victoria Murphy, 36, mother to an autistic son said: "Schooling. Especially around SEN children because as a mum I don't feel supported.

"How they are doing in school and around EHCPs (Education Health Care Plan). I don't vote for people because I just don't have faith in politics or in government."

Mary Farrelly, 58, believed drug and alcohol addicts needed more support saying: "In regards to Yardley there are a lot of people in the area suffering with mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction and you can see them everyday.

"I know it is up to them to get recovery if they need it but, you can do something regarding helping these people. This causes a lot of issues regarding shoplifting as these people in pain who need recovery are stealing things.

"It is difficult for the police to curtail it all because these people need help. Also the litter as well as we need more litter bins and they need to be emptied more regularly."

A Muslim resident criticised the Labour and Conservative parties for their stance on Gaza, claiming 'humanity' should be a political priority.

The current Labour candidate for Yardley is Jess Phillips since 2015, who previously agreed homelessness was a top issue for local residents alongside crime and cleaner streets. Voters will have a choice of six candidates to represent them in Parliament as their local MP.

A full list of all the candidates standing in Birmingham Yardley:

• Jess Phillips - Labour

• Yvonne Beverley Clements - Conservative

• Roxanne Green - Green Party

• Roger Harmer - Liberal Democrats

• Nora Kamberi - Reform UK

• Jody McIntyre - Workers Party of Britain

The constituency covers Acocks Green, Sheldon, Small Heath, South Yardley, Tyseley and Hay Mills, Yardley and Stechford. The Garretts Green ward is now in the Hodge Hill and Solihull North constituency in exchange for the Small Heath ward.

Take part in The Birmingham General Election 2024 Survey

Sign up to our politics newsletter here