Two items of interest today in the Birmingham Post's spendid satirical Iron Angle column.

The first concerns a constant source of fun for the local media, bumbling Conservative Leader of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby. Paul Dale (Iron Angle) suggests that Whitless might want to copy the national Tory leadership and give up his chauffered limo and get his fat backside on to a bike. Dale points out that Whitby whistles up the car for even the shortest distances, with 'nine trips less than a mile in length'. I know this is true because when myself and my fellow Ward councillors complained about the slum park in our Ward but owned and (laughably) maintained by Birmingham, Whitby was spotted a few days later gazing out across the park through the windows of his chauffeur-driven X-Type Jag.... despite the fact that the park is just a few hundred yards from his home.

Dale's second item concerns a local blogger... Brummie Tory, who seems a decent enough chappie (even if he does resembly Tyrone Dobbs from Corrie). Apparently the young blogger took exception to Iron Angle suggesting that Whitby's cronies were nicking the flowers after the recent Mayor-making meeting. You can see Tyrone's Brummie Tory's blog here, together with a soft focus picture of Whitby who obviously ate all the pies before running off with his flowers.

Time to get on your bike, Mike!