One of the five candidates hoping to succeed Sir Albert Bore as leader of Birmingham City Council has pulled out.
Former Lord Mayor and member for Brandwood Coun Mike Leddy has withdrawn from the race and now thrown his "full support" behind the only female in the contest, Penny Holbrook.
He said: "Penny will make the best leader and we need to make sure she is in first place on the ballot."
He pointed out that he entered the leadership contest at a time when it seemed to be a two-horse race between deputy leader Ian Ward and long-term challenger John Clancy, adding that, now Coun Holbrook was in the mix, he was happy to support her.
Barry Henley completes the list of those standing.
As a result, only the four remaining candidates will take part in the Birmingham Post's leadership hustings tomorrow night.
Register here for the hustings event
In a further statement to fellow councillors, he said: "I entered this contest because I'm a proud and passionate Brummie who fervently believes that our city needs a fresh vision and a new style of leadership to meet the challenges ahead.
"I've always believed that politics is about ideas and policies, not money, ego or personal ambition. This leadership campaign has made it clear in my mind that one candidate, above any other, understands the challenges we face and is able to give Birmingham the leadership it needs.
"So today I am standing aside in order to give my full support to Penny Holbrook. She will be a formidable leader of the Labour group and of Birmingham City Council and I am very proud to endorse her."
Coun Holbrook tweeted: "Mike Leddy has spent a lifetime serving Birmingham and his endorsement today shows a man who truly wants the best for Birmingham."
Front runner John Clancy has received public endorsements from at least 25 out of the 78 Labour councillors - the latest to declare are Washwood Heath councillors Ansar Ali Khan, Mariam Khan and Mohammed Idrees, the latter was Sir Albert Bore's last chief whip, as well as South Yardley councillor Zafar Iqbal.
While Coun Holbrook has received public backing from fellow cabinet member John Cotton, who admitted it was a tough choice for him to select her over his long-term colleague in Shard End Ian Ward, he said both would make good strong leaders.
Others have questioned the validity of public endorsements in a secret ballot, which will take place on Monday.
