"People are fed up with politicians who don't listen."

SETTING OUT HIS STALL: Coun James Burn launched his manifesto
at the Three Trees Centre, in Chelmsley Wood.

A CHELMSLEY Wood councillor who is standing to become the first Mayor of the West Midlands has vowed to tackle inequality head-on.
Coun James Burn, who is the Green Party's candidate in next month’s election, has officially unveiled his manifesto - arguing that voters are fed up of politicians ignoring their concerns.
He chose to hold the launch event in the ward he represents, having made clear in his policy document that he has concerns that “disadvantaged” residents often struggle to be heard.
“The economy is growing at the moment, but it’s clear that the wealth isn’t being shared,” said
Coun Burn. “We are seeing a handful of individuals get richer, while the rest of us are seeing a fall in our living standards.
“A whole generation of working young people are unable to even consider the possibility of owning their own home or having a stable job that pays decent wages.
“At the moment, more than half of all West Midlands adults have less than £100 in savings. They are just a broken washing machine or winter coat away from disaster.”
Other key policy announcements include the creation of an investment bank to help small businesses, improving public transport links and appointing a “citizen’s jury” to hold the Mayor to account.
Coun Burn, who has been a councillor since 2014 and is also a qualified social worker, has not been uncritical of the role that he is standing for.
While he welcomes the principle of handing more power to local communities, he believes that the devolution deal agreed for the West Midlands has been shrouded in secrecy.
He has vowed to lobby for more scrutiny, to publish his expenses online and only take a salary of £28,000 – the average for the region.
The rest of the £79,000 pay packet would be put towards helping deprived communities “getting more voices heard.”
The election takes place on Thursday, May 4. An article with full details of all six candidates will be available on the site at the weekend.