Councillor Ian Ward, Council deputy leader (Shard End)
One of the more impressive figures of Birmingham’s Labour administration. Seems to handle his very wide brief well and his public appearances, whether under cross-examination in committee or in Council Chamber debates, are assured.
People beyond the council bubble were impressed with his appearances during the launch of the Library of Birmingham. Being talked of as leader in waiting.
Councillor Brett O’Reilly (Lab, Northfield)
This college tutor is a relative newcomer to the council having joined just as Labour seized control in 2012. He has proved a perceptive and effective public speaker and a regular contributor in committee. Colleagues have tipped him for advancement in the months ahead.
Councillor Robert Alden, Conservative Group deputy leader (Erdington)
With Lord Whitby’s impending resignation from the council in May, surely this year is the time for Bobby to take the top spot. As deputy, with the support of colleagues like Randall Brew, he has been effectively been doing the opposition leader job.
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Will take over as chief executive of Europe’s largest local authority in March. He has not sought the public limelight in his present job at Solihull Borough Council, although he is well known in local Government circles. He faces wider scrutiny in his new role. His background in children’s services could be crucial as the council bids to turn the failing child protection service around.
Councillor John Clancy (Lab, Quinton)
As the focus of internal Labour group opposition to Sir Albert Bore’s leadership, Clancy has made steady if unspectacular progress with successive leadership challenges. Widely expected to stand again he really must make more than a slight dent in Sir Albert’s majority if he wanted to be seen as a future leader. He also needs a new manifesto, since much of his 2013 agenda has been adopted.
Councillor Lisa Trickett (Lab, Moseley and Kings Heath)
A confident performer and has the support of the leadership. Has been guiding the council’s devolution agenda. Thought to be a leading contender for a Cabinet role should any become vacant.
Councillor Shafique Shah (Lab, Bordesley Green)
Should be a good year for Councillor Shah who was disappointed not to be selected for Cabinet when Labour regained control of the City Council two years ago.
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Now he is in the frame for Lord Mayor in May, so could be a very good year for him.
Councillor Anne Underwood (Conservative, Sutton Four Oaks)
There are two clear political battlegrounds in the Royal Town, the building on green belt and the moves to form a town council. So as district chairwoman Coun Underwood is to play a major role as these issues develop.
She could also be a contender for Tory leadership post-Whitby should colleagues reject Bobby Alden.
Councillor Tristan Chatfield (Lab, Oscott)
Has completed a political apprenticeship while working for Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood and is beginning to get noticed in his own right as a future prospect. He is making an increasing contribution in the public arena and could be looking to secure a scrutiny committee role in 2014.
Councillor Majid Mahmood (Lab, Hodge Hill)
Has proved a more than capable scrutiny committee chairman and is clearly ambitious - thought to be seeking a cabinet role. Suffered mild humiliation this year when his sponsorship deal with Warwickshire County Cricket was dismissed by the leadership - but claims credit for the watered down version which appeared recently.
Also considered: Coun Anita Ward (Lab, Hodge Hill) and chairwoman of Children’s Scrutiny Committee, Karen Hamilton (Lib Dem, Perry Barr) and Lib Dem deputy leader and Centro member, Coun Steve Bedser (Lab, Kings Norton) ambitious Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, Ken Wood (Conservative candidate Sutton New Hall)
Political Editor Jon Walker on the politicians to looks out for at Westminster
Tristram Hunt MP
Dr Hunt had a great 2013 and has the opportunity to establish himself as a rising star in 2014.
The historian and Stoke Central MP became Shadow Education Secretary when Labour leader Ed Miliband reshuffled his team.
His elevation may have owed something to Mr Miliband’s desire to reach out to the remaining Blairites in his party, as he sacked or demoted modernisers such as Liam Byrne and Stephen Twigg.
But Dr Hunt is also young, charismatic and articulate.
He faces the difficult task of taking on Education Secretary Michael Gove, a bogeyman for the left but someone Labur has struggled to land punches on.
Emma Reynolds MP
The Wolverhampton North East MP is also on the up, having enjoyed promotion to the post of Shadow Housing Minister.
Labour hopes to make sure housing is a key issue at the next election, and proposals to seize land from developers who are failing to use it, allowing more housing to be built, were among eye-catching pledge at the party’s annual conference last year.
Ms Reynolds will be tasked with taking that policy further, and is looking at the thorny issue of homes which are bought as an investment and rarely lived in.
Liam Byrne MP
Mr Byrne is a politician whose career has taken a different turn – but is still worth watching.
The Hodge Hill Labour MP has been demoted from the Shadow Cabinet but is determined to make a success of his new brief as a Shadow Minister responsible for higher education.
He’s looking at ways of expanding post-18 vocational education - a function once performed, in theory at least, by the old polytechnics, which have now converted to universities.
Mr Byrne has suffered a number of setbacks in his career but is determined to make his mark in his new role.
He’s one to watch – to see whether he succeeds.
Andrew Mitchell MP
On the subject of bouncing back it is going to be a big year for Mr Mitchell.
Overall, the Sutton Coldfield MP enjoyed a good 2013 as it was the year when he largely succeeded in clearing his name following the “plebgate” allegations which arose at the end of 2012.
However, he probably doesn’t see it that way, as he’s been embroiled in struggles against the police and the national newspapers which originally published the allegations.
It’s no secret that Mr Mitchell would welcome the chance to return to the Cabinet, after being forced to quit his job as Chief Whip. There’s also been talk of an EU job - although he has been reluctant to consider such as move, partly because it would mean quitting his Sutton Coldfield seat.
Lorely Burt MP
The Solihull MP is emerging as a popular and highly-regarded figure within the Liberal Democrats.
She was elected chair of the Parliamentary Party in 2007 and last year became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Some activists are pushing her as a potential Deputy Leader – after Nick Clegg’s existing deputy, Simon Hughes, accepted a Government job as a justice minister. While there are no rules forcing Mr Hughes to quit his deputy leadership role, he had previously declined to join the Government on the grounds that the deputy leader should remain on the backbenches.