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  1. Politics
3 February 2010updated 04 Oct 2023 10:04am

Farewell to Siôn Simon

Labour MP's next job may depend on a Tory victory.

By George Eaton

Siôn Simon, the Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, is the latest figure to announce that he’s standing down at the next election. Which gives us the perfect opportunity to relive his infamous Webcameron spoof, an early pre-Smeargate warning to Labour of the potential hazards of new media.

Simon plans to campaign to become Birmingham’s first directly elected mayor but there’s one hitch — the post doesn’t exist yet.

The last campaign for a referendum on an elected mayor failed when less than 5 per cent of voters signed the petition required to trigger a poll. Labour has since gone cold on the idea. But David Cameron has promised that 12 cities, including Birmingham, will be forced to hold mayoral referendums if the Tories are elected.

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So, is Simon, as some have suggested, unwittingly predicting a Tory victory?

 

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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  • Arts and Culture
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  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
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