Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick has likened Birmingham to a third-world country in scathing criticism of the city's council as bin strikes enter their second year.
Today marks a year since refuse collectors in England's second-largest city performed a total walkout, leaving residents to endure rat-ridden roads with piles of rubbish piled high.
However, Mr Jenrick declared that a "big moment for change" was coming for Birmingham residents to welcome in new leadership in the city.
The Reform MP told The People's Channel it was "tragic" that residents have been forced to endure such conditions, particularly in the city's poorest regions.
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He said: "I went with GB News to Birmingham around [the start of the strikes] and saw for myself the appalling state of the city. And it's such a tragedy.
"I know Birmingham very well. I grew up down the road in Wolverhampton and to see the city, particularly some of its poorest neighbourhoods, looking like a third-world country with rubbish piled up everywhere, it was absolutely tragic.
"It's got to come to an end and the failing council there has got to sort this thing out, get the trade unions round the table and bring this to a conclusion."
As it stands, the year-long battle between the council and refuse collectors in their plight to fight against the authority's decision to axe Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) roles continues.
'The failing council has got to sort this thing out,' the Wolverhampton-born MP declared
|GB NEWS
Unite union said such a move would affect around 170 employees, and could cause them to lose out on thousands of pounds - although the council insisted only 17 would be affected.
However, the dispute shows no signs of ending soon, fuelling fears rubbish will remain strewn the city's streets.
But Mr Jenrick has assured residents there is a "big moment" ahead of locals, with the May elections due to go ahead in less than two months.
He said: "I'm pretty sure that people are going to vote to get rid of that council and bring in new leadership.
BIRMINGHAM BIN STRIKES - READ THE LATEST:
Rubbish can be seen piled high throughout residential streets
|PA
"I hope that's a Reform council. We're actually working very hard. We've held rallies in Birmingham the other day with Nigel Farage.
"I went up with Richard Tice the other day to a steel factory there to meet workers and to talk about the economy in Birmingham.
"This is going to be a big moment where people can vote out a council that has let them down so badly and bring in change.
"And the number one thing that council could do under new leadership would be sort out the bin strike and make the streets clean and safe again."
Meanwhile, Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "The bin strike in Birmingham has gone on for too long. I'm sorry for the disruption this has caused, and I would hope Unite would also want to apologise.
"It isn't good enough and we want to end the dispute. But let us be clear, the council has made a series of offers to Unite to end the strike, but they have all been rejected.
"We are moving ahead with the implementation of the improved waste service this summer, a service that has been poor for too long.
"This will see the rollout of food waste collections from June this year on a phased basis, along with the return of improved recycling and green waste collection services.
"This will happen regardless of the situation with industrial action to give the people of Birmingham the waste service they deserve.
"My message to those still taking industrial action is simple: come back to work as I want you to be part of this new and improved service. Our door remains open."
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