Business groups to back mayor as Government announces ‘Super Thursday’ election date-The Chamberlain Files

Birmingham is on course for a ‘Super Thursday’ election in November when voters will choose a city mayor and a West Midlands police commissioner on the same day, Local Government Minister Greg Clark is expected to confirm next week.

The double election will happen if Brummies agree to back a mayor in a referendum to be held in conjunction with the city council elections on May 3, Mr Clark will tell a special meeting of the Birmingham Chamber.

The announcement is likely to coincide with a historic decision by Birmingham’s main business-support organisations to back the principle of an elected mayor, and to campaign strongly to ditch the existing council leader and cabinet system.

Mr Clarke will take part in a debate at the Chamber’s Harborne Road headquarters alongside an impressive cross-party selection of political heavyweights, including former Tory cabinet member Lord Heseltine, former Labour Transport Secretary Lord Adonis and the elected mayor of Leicester, Sir Peter Soulsby.

Members of the Birmingham Chamber Council will gather shortly before Mr Clark’s arrival on January 25 and are expected to back a policy paper committing the organisation to support the switch to a mayor.
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