Thank you, Birmingham!

Such a huge honour to return to Birmingham's Council Chamber yesterday to be appointed as an Honorary Alderman of Birmingham City Council. It was the privilege of my life to serve for a quarter of a century as a City Councillor, and as born and bred Brummie I will forever be a champion of the city I am so proud to call home.

I was also delighted to be appointed alongside some very distinguished colleagues. We can count amongst our number four former Lord Mayors, two former Leaders of the Council, one former Deputy Leader, and three former Group Leaders - and a total of 233 years of service between us!