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Opinionopinion

A difficult balancing act for the city's leaders

Local government correspondent Neil Elkes assess the task facing Birmingham City Council's cabinet as they vie for the leadership of the ruling Labour group

The members of Sir Albert Bore's cabinet have a difficult tightrope act to pull off if they want to play a part in Birmingham's next Labour administration.

We are told that a number of them are sounding out colleagues, drumming up support and trying to get a bandwagon rolling for the upcoming election.

Amid the media blackout in the Council House, we were informed through unofficial channels that Ian Ward, Penny Holbrook, Lisa Trickett, new arrival Shafique Shah and even the man who triggered the downfall James McKay are considering leadership or deputy leadership bids.

But they could be tainted by their attachment to the outgoing leader Sir Albert Bore and his beleaguered administration.

That will no doubt be the claim from leadership rival John Clancy who will promise all but a clean sweep of the top table. New blood all round.

Sir Albert has been forced out amid criticism from a government improvement panel and fury from backbenchers who have felt increasingly detached from their leadership.

A national Labour leadership fearing their party's name will be dragged through the mud if government commissioners march into the Council House in a few weeks also intervened.

Those backbenchers, who will decide the next leader, must now decide whether the panel and Communities Secretary Greg Clark will be satisfied with Sir Albert's resignation.