The Birmingham Press invites you to a public debate on the city’s forthcoming mayoral referendum, due to be held on May 3rd.

The debate takes place on Thursday, April 26th from 8:30pm at the Ort Cafe on Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, opposite Edward Road (and almost opposite the baths and library).

There will be two speakers, a supporter of elected mayors and a critic.

The format will be simple – five minutes from each speaker to start with, then a public debate with questions to the panel for around 45 minutes, followed by a short summing up from both speakers and then a vote.

We are still awaiting confirmation of the ‘Yes’ speaker and anticipate that it will be local councillor, but the case against mayors will be put by Les Reid, Midland Journalist of the Year and political correspondent of the Coventry Telegraph. Coventry is also holding a referendum on elected mayors next month and Les has written about the subject extensively. Here’s a link to one of his recent pieces:  coventrytelegraph.net/talkingpolitics

Reader’s may find a recent Guardian article by John Harris of interest on this divisive subject. Click here.