Birmingham's new city chief unveils his council cabinet

The newly selected Leader of Birmingham City Council has released details of the team that will take control of the largest local authority in the country with a budget of £3 billion.

Cllr John Cotton (Lab, Glebe Farm and Tile Cross) was selected Leader after the national Labour Party stepped in and removed the council’s previous leadership of Cllr Ian Ward and his deputy Cllr Brigid Jones.

A damning internal report, which came to light last Tuesday (16 May), led to controversial action that saw Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) swooping in and conducting interviews for a new leader on Friday (19 May) with no input from local party members.

The shocking internal report allegedly uncovered a toxic culture of racism, misogyny and harassment within Birmingham Labour.

The controversial NEC intervention saw Cllr John Cotton, aged 49, selected as new Leader of Birmingham City Council, and Cllr Sharon Thompson selected as Deputy Leader.

Cllr Cotton hopes his new cabinet – which includes existing members from the previous cabinet- will face the various challenges currently facing the city with vigour and determination.

Cllr Cotton’s new cabinet has no position for deposed Cllr Ward who failed to retain his position despite taking part in last Friday’s NEC interviews for new leader.

However, despite Cllr Ward being left out in the cold, his Deputy Leader – Brigid Jones – has been welcomed back by the new Leader and chosen to lead the Finance & Resources office which means previous head of the department – Cllr Yvonne Mosquito – will no longer be part of the cabinet.