Tackle unemployment, business leaders urge new Labour administration

THE new Labour administration in Birmingham must make tackling the city’s unemployment problem a priority.

That was the message from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group just hours after it was announced Labour has taken control of Birmingham City Council.

The party needed just four gains to take Birmingham, but claimed half of the 40 seats being contested to finish with a 34-seat majority.

Sir Albert Bore will once again become council leader, replacing Mike Whitby who has led a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition administration in the city since 2004.

Michael Ward, president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group, said: “We look forward to working closely with the new administration – with or without an elected mayor.

“Our collective priority must be tackling unemployment, which is the greatest challenge to face this great city in a generation. The chamber will work with the council to shape the business environment so we are truly the best and easiest place to do business and create the jobs we need.”

As Ward suggests, whether an elected mayor for Birmingham is part of the equation is still in the balance.

The result of the Birmingham referendum won’t be known until teatime today but voters in Coventry gave the idea a resounding thumbs down yesterday. Almost two thirds of voters rejected the plans – by 63.58% to 36.42%.

Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, said: “The straws in the wind are that it is likely to be a ‘no’ vote , but we will see.”

Voters in Manchester, Bradford and Nottingham also rejected the city mayor idea.