| Election Name: | 2008 Birmingham City Council election |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Birmingham, United Kingdom.svg |
| Type: | Parliamentary |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Party Colour: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 2007 Birmingham City Council election |
| Previous Year: | 2007 |
| Next Election: | 2010 Birmingham City Council election |
| Next Year: | 2010 |
| Seats For Election: | One third (40) seats to Birmingham City Council |
| Majority Seats: | 61 |
| Election Date: | 1 May 2008 |
| Image1: | Mike Whitby by John Hemming.jpg |
| Leader1: | Mike Whitby |
| Party1: | Conservative Party (UK) |
| Leaders Seat1: | Harborne |
| Seats1: | 49 |
| Seat Change1: | 6 |
| Popular Vote1: | 68,190 |
| Percentage1: | 30.1% |
| Leader2: | Albert Bore |
| Party2: | Labour Party (UK) |
| Leaders Seat2: | Ladywood |
| Seats2: | 36 |
| Seat Change2: | 6 |
| Popular Vote2: | 67,922 |
| Percentage2: | 30.0% |
| Image3: | John Hemming Parliament.jpg |
| Leader3: | John Hemming (did not seek re-election) |
| Party3: | Liberal Democrats (UK) |
| Leaders Seat3: | South Yardley |
| Seats3: | 32 |
| Popular Vote3: | 52,454 |
| Percentage3: | 23.2% |
| Council control | |
| Posttitle: | Council control after election |
| Before Election: | No Overall Control |
| After Election: | No Overall Control |
Elections to Birmingham City Council in England were held on 1 May 2008. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control as it had been since 2003.[1]
230 candidates stood in the election for the 40 seats that were contested. Five parties contested every ward in Birmingham, the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, British National Party and the Greens.[2] Overall turnout across the city was 31.2%
The results saw the Conservative Party gain significantly, winning 6 seats from the Labour Party and Respect gain an independent seat.[1] The Liberal Democrats were pleased to hold all their seats.[3] As a result, the Conservative and Liberal Democrat ruling coalition increased their majority to hold 75% of the seats on the council.[3] Both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats attributed their success to below inflation council tax rises and the national unpopularity of the Labour government.[3] [4]