Labour leader Sir Albert Bore in call over elected mayor
“At the behest of the leader of the council, Mike Whitby, the council is proposing to consult with the people of Birmingham by placing a notice in a local newspaper advising the public of the proposed changes required by the 2007 Act and by publishing draft proposals on the council website.
“This is the website which only recently went live, months after it was supposed to be launched, and even now is not fully operational.
“The only way the residents of Birmingham can now ensure that their views are fully taken into account is by petitioning the city council. I would encourage individuals, community groups and other organisations within the city to do exactly this, not to take a view on whether the city council should have a leader and cabinet or an elected mayor and cabinet, but to give the people of Birmingham the right to decide on this matter.
“The decision should not be one taken by the 120 councillors, but by the people of Birmingham.”
Sir Albert received surprise backing from Tory councillor Colin Hughes, who urged the council to “trust in democracy” and hold a referendum.
Coun Hughes (Con Billesley) said: “We represent the people but are not better than them and I believe they deserve to cast judgment on this issue.
“In eight months there will be a new government and a new Prime Minister who has promised that referendum.
“In reality the choice before us is whether we have the referendum this year or next.”
