Politics
Bartley Green has been part of the Edgbaston Constituency of Birmingham since 1997, having previously been in the neighbouring Birmingham Northfield Constituency. Since its inclusion, the Labour Party have finished first in every General Election, even defying the national trend in 2010, when the party clung on with a majority of 1,274. It is represented by Labour MP Gisela Stuart, who has held the seat since 1997, replacing Conservative Dame Jill Knight in the year of Tony Blair's landslide victory. Unlike any other UK constituency, Edgbaston has had a female Member of Parliament since 1953.
In the 2005 General Election, Gisela held her seat with a decreased majority of 2,349: a -5.3% swing, winning ahead of the Conservative candidate Deirdre Alden, Mike Dixon of the Liberal Democrats, Peter Green of the Green Party and Stephen White of United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).
Like other wards within the Edgbaston constituency such as Harborne and the Edgbaston ward itself, Bartley Green is a safe Conservative ward at Birmingham City Council level, with all three serving councillors - John Lines, Vivienne Barton and Bruce Lines (son of John) - representing the party.
The ward has adopted a Ward Support Officer, with the current holder of the status being Tina Willetts.
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Famous quotes containing the word politics:
“Our family talked a lot at table, and only two subjects were taboo: politics and personal troubles. The first was sternly avoided because Father ran a nonpartisan daily in a small town, with some success, and did not wish to express his own opinions in public, even when in private.”
—M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992)
“In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”
—Margaret Thatcher (b. 1925)
“I believe you to be a brave and a skillful soldier, which, of course, I like. I also believe you do not mix politics with your profession, in which you are right.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)