Here is the latest nomination in our series highlighting people David Cameron should consider appointing to the House of Lords.
If you would like to nominate someone, please email Jonathan Isaby with your suggestion, ideally including key arguments for the nomination as well as biographical information. The sources of nominations will be treated confidentially where requested.
No. 42: Mike Whitby
Duncan Flynn writes:
"I would like to nominate Councillor Mike Whitby.
"He has been the Conservative Group Leader on Birmingham City Council since 2003 and the Leader of Birmigham City Council since 2004. As leader of Europe's largest local authority, Mike Whitby has managed the local authority of Britain's second largest city in coalition with the Liberal Democrats for the last five years.
"Under his direction, Birmingham City Council has returned a below inflation Council Tax rise of 1.9% for the past four years, making Birmingham's council tax the lowest average across 3 years for any Metropolitan Council in the UK - despite Birmingam's audit star rating going from zero in 2004 to 3 stars in 2008, breaking a stranglehold of Labour control.
"He is also a former parliamentary candidate for the Welsh seat of Delyn in 1992."
> Previous nomination: Janet Daley
