WE CANNOT state strongly or often enough that we are not campaigning for an elected mayor. Nor are we supporting any individual.
The Birmingham Mail's stance is simple: we believe a referendum must be held to allow the electorate to decide how their city is governed.
But it is clear that the calibre of potential candidates will be a crucial consideration when a vote is finally held, as surely it will be with pressure mounting daily on the council leadership.
The emergence of Karren Brady as a contender suggests that there would be no shortage of successful, driven and talented people in the running in the people of this city decide they want an elected mayor.
Her CV is impressive. But no doubt there are many other highly-qualified people from different backgrounds waiting in the wing.
For now, though, the battle is to give YOU the opportunity to decide whether this city would be better governed by an elected mayor or whether we should retain the current system.
It is cowardly of Birmingham's leaders to dodge this issue any longer.