‘People who voted Tory are embarrassed’: Labour in buoyant mood before Birmingham Erdington byelection

Paulette Hamilton meets members of the public while out campaigning in Erdington. Labour insiders say they expect it to be high on the Tories’ attack list for the next general election. Photograph: Andrew Fox/The Guardian

Paulette Hamilton can barely leave her campaign headquarters on Erdington high street without being approached for a chat. “I want Boris Johnson out. I don’t like him,” young mum Sabrina Simmonds tells her.

Another supporter, Dave, takes a poster to display in his window, while a third wants to complain about the dilapidated state of the street.