Lawyer and former Birmingham City Council manager Mirza Ahmad, has announced that he could stand as an independent candidate forBirminghammayor if the city’s citizens vote to create one in May’s election.
The council’s former Corporate Director of Governance told reporters that he would “encourage people to vote for change from the current stale party political system that is totally out of touch with people”.
However, the former barrister also said it would be too soon to formally announce that he would be candidate, as it would depend on the referendum results on 3 May whenBirminghamvoters visit their local ballot.
In an article for blog The Chamberlain Files, he said: “I have had lots of positive feedback and been encouraged to stand as there needs to be a ‘credible alternative’ to the usual suspects from the ‘old’ and out of touch parties.”
“It all depends, therefore, if Birmingham elects to have an elected mayor, and as previously declared, I hope the electorate see the advantages of having one running Birmingham.”
Dr Ahmad said he would follow his “guiding principles” if elected, which includes working with local groups to “cultivate a strong sense of community pride” in the city by celebrating what each community contributes in making it better.
About his principles, he said, “I will promote economic prosperity to driveBirmingham’s local and regional economies by ensuringBirminghambecomes a strong international city.
“I will ensure public funds are maximised for best effect to support the local and regional economic prosperity that will be necessary to drive the other improvements in public/private infrastructure, regenerate local areas and improve the lives of people.”
