Aldermanship

Under these circumstances all other parties on the Council had to anticipate the resultant harmful publicity to Birmingham (and local democracy) that would accrue were we to agree to an Honorary Aldermanship. There is no policy of a "political vendetta", for any nomination would be considered on merit, whatever party was the originator.

Under the council's rules, at least two-thirds of members at a meeting must vote in favour of a proposition to bestow Aldermanship. Labour, with 46 out of the 120 council members, can easily block future resolutions