1 December 2011

Yes to mayor - but not enough alone...

Last week I spoke in a debate organised by Politics in Brum about whether or not Birmingham should have an elected mayor. I am sure there will be many more such debates over the next six months as we move towards a referendum in May 2012 to ask the people of Birmingham whether or not they want an elected mayor. These next six months provide an important opportunity to address some fundamental questions about the city, how it is governed, and its identity.

Birmingham is a city of over a million people, with a council budget well in excess of £1bn. It’s far too big to expect to effectively micro manage the detail of what happens in local communities. But strategic decisions made at city level in Birmingham should be able to make a strategic difference, not only to the lives of Brummies but to the West Midlands as a whole.

All too often the reverse is true.

Keep reading this article online at LabourList...