The outsider in the battle to become Labour’s metro mayor candidate has made a grab for the left and backed Jeremy Corbyn in the upcoming leadership battle.
Former Birmingham councillor Steve Bedser is one of two politicians currently vying for the Labour candidacy in next year’s West Midlands mayoral elections.
And he is wooing Mr Corbyn’s substantial grassroots support in the party as he seeks to overturn the odds-on favourite Sion Simon.
Mr Simon, a former Erdington MP, is a close friend and political ally of Labour deputy leader Tom Watson who is among MPs calling for Mr Corbyn to go.
Watch below: Tom Watson says he tried to ask Jeremy Corbyn to resign
In a statement to members, Mr Bedser said he would vote for Mr Corbyn rather than rival Angela Eagle.
He said: “People accuse Jeremy of not being charismatic enough but I say that doesn’t matter. I want the leader of our party to be about values not celebrity.”
Mr Bedser added that Mr Corbyn needed more time after less than a year in the job.
But he warns the Labour leader needed to up his game to prove he was capable of leading Labour to power, not just settle for opposition.
“My support for Jeremy is contingent on results and his ability to mend fences and build bridges,” he added.
The first West Midlands Mayor, to be elected in May 2017, will head up the region's combined authority.
The battle for the Labour leadership has grown increasingly bitter after 172 MPs, more than 80 per cent of the party, backed a motion of no confidence in Mr Corbyn and the leadership challenge was launched.
There have been allegations of attacks and abuse from the rival camps, with Mr Watson accused of
Last week, hundreds of Corbyn supporters held a demonstration in Birmingham city centre and called for the city’s MPs to back their leader.
Watch below: Birmingham rally for Jeremy Corbyn
Mr Simon is favourite to win the selection and, given Labour’s dominance in local elections, likely to become the West Midlands first elected mayor in May next year.
He has spent years campaigning for the job and won the support of a majority of constituency Labour parties and major trade unions, as well as the influential backing of Tom Watson.
The Conservatives are expected to select John Lewis managing director Andy Street, the chairman of the Greater Birmingham LEP business group, as candidate.
