Freaks of Nature? Birmingham's MPs

For those who don't follow local politics here in Birmingham I though I would do a few pen pics of our local politicians. The good, the bad and the utterly useless. Part One, i.e this part, will focus on the current crop of Members of Parliament that have the privilege of representing Birmingham at Westminster.


Richard Burden, Labour, Northfield

Old fashioned sort of Labour MP broadly on the left but fairly mainstream. Strong supporter of Palestine and various other traditional left wing causes.

Liam Byrne, Labour, Hodge Hill

Blairite high flyer with a strong reputation in Westminster. Has a local difficulty with a popular Liberal candidate. Now in the cabinet as a legislative enforcer.

Roger Godsiff, Labour, Sparkbrook & Small Heath

Little known outside his constituency. But does have an unnerving habit of appearing on the radio but only to talk about football.

John Hemming, Liberal Democrat, Yardley

Verging on being a comic strip character. A self made millionaire turned play boy liberal with a taste for Councillors. Largely responsible for turning South East Birmingham into a Lib Dem Fortress. Not to be taken too seriously, but a decent enough local operator who knows the value of press coverage even for daft stories.

Lynne Jones, Labour, Selly Oak

Trendy leftie with a thing for Palestine. Lost out to McCabe in the battle for the new Selly Oak seat after major boundary changes.

Khalid Mahmood, Labour, Perry Barr

A Controversial but cunning politician who has battled his way into parliament. Raised in Birmingham and one of the few genuinely local figures in the Parliamentary Brummie Section. Traditionally viewed as being on the right of the party but has lent further left in recent years surprisingly supporting Jon Cruddas for deputy leader.

Steve McCabe, Labour, Hall Green

Scottish, Trade Unionist and Whip. Fairly typical of the mainstream of the Labour Party. Descent man who uses a pretty straight bat.

Andrew Mitchell, Conservative, Sutton Coldfield

A True Blue Tory through and through. Dull but effective with a history of low status jobs in Westminster currently Tory Shadow International Development Secretary. Having a massively safe Tory seat should be around for as long as he wants to be.

Clare Short, Independent Labour, Ladywood

Looks and sounds like a primary school teacher but has proven to be an extremely polished politician both in opposition and in Government, as Secretary of State for International Development, a role in which she excelled. Resigned from Blair's cabinet over Iraq War despite voting for it. Has clearly gone a bit barmy since.

Sion Simon, Labour, Erdington

Previously a Blairite but then signed the infamous Curry House Letter that led to the downfall of Blair. Holds a safeish Labour seat but with a resurgent local Tory Party led by the boy wonder Bobby Alden. Now a government Minister for Skills. Has been known to jog past my house.

Giesla Stewart, Labour, Edgbaston

First ever Labour winner of the Edgbaston seat a crowing moment on the 1997 Election Night. In recent years has made a few enemies by railing against Browns leadership and the Lisbon Treaty. Can be considered to be doomed but a changing demographic could see her scrape home at the next election.