'We're local champions': Sir Ed Davey launches Liberal Democrats election manifesto in Birmingham

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has launched his party's local election manifesto in Birmingham, during a rally with local activists.

He described his party as a "credible force" to run crisis-hit Birmingham City Council and other councils across the Midlands.

The party have 13 councillors in the city, and said they're confident of increasing that number.

Sir Ed said Labour supporters are switching their support to the Liberal Democrats, but he wouldn't be drawn on working in a coalition if it was a hung vote on election night.

"Sorting out the bin strike"

Speaking to ITV News Central correspondent Mark Gough, Sir Ed said:

"Well, we really engaged in the communities where we rooted in communities. We're listening to communities and hearing their concerns, whether it's on how badly Labour has run this great city or the national Labour failing, or things like the cost of living, which is a massive issue.

"And so our manifesto, which we've launched today with Birmingham City Liberal Democrats, talks about sorting out the bin strike, for example, cleaning up our streets, repairing the roads, dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour".

"The threat of Reform"

When asked how he would convince voters that he is a credible force to run the city and run councils around the West Midlands, he said:

"Well, our campaigning is doing that. People are seeing across the city as the one party taking on Labour. People want to get rid of Labour. We're there and we're winning a lot of support from Labour.

"But there's something else happening in Birmingham. It's one of the reasons I'm here today, to support the Liberal Democrat manifesto launch in Birmingham. And that's the threat of Reform. There's a real danger that as the Labour vote collapses here in Birmingham, it can go to Reform".

Voting is due to take place on 7th May.

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