Paulette Hamilton has been elected as the MP for Erdington – the first black MP for Birmingham, writes Rhi Storer.
The by-election was held after former incumbent Jack Dromey died in his Birmingham flat suddenly from heart failure, triggering the by-election in the Birmingham seat he had held for nearly 12 years.
Dromey, who was married to the former Labour cabinet minister and interim party leader Harriet Harman, held the seat with a majority of 3,601 in the 2019 general election.
Hamilton said she was “exhausted but delighted” and said she would “not take votes for granted”.
She said: “I’m truly humbled and honoured to be elected as a Member of Parliament.
“I will not take your vote for granted. I have met many of you, and I have heard what you have to say and I commit to you now.
“I will work for you; for Erdington, for Castle Vale, and for Kingstanding.
“I cannot wait to get started and I will be your voice in Westminster and challenge this government to get a better deal for Erdington.”
Hamilton had previously worked as a nurse, before being elected councillor for the Holyhead ward in 2004.
The by-election, which was contested by the Conservatives and a number of fringe parties and independent candidates, saw a turnout of 27 per cent.
Dave Nellist, the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, who came third, claimed the turnout was “one of the lowest in history”.
Out of 62,996 people, only 16,957 voted.
But despite Labour’s last-minute fears, the party increased its overall vote share by five per cent.
Robert Alden, the Conservative candidate, said the low turnout was a reflection that Labour was not “ready to govern”.
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)