Shabana Mahmood’s next big move

Dear readers — as Andy Burnham enters number 10 (north and south), The Dispatch is pondering the rise of Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood. She looks set to become chancellor after Burnham’s right-wing allies fought more furiously than Enzo Fernández for her promotion over soft-left Ed Miliband. Our new prime minister is yet to confirm his cabinet but the final decision will be revealed later today.

In preparation for Mahmood entering Number 11, the Green Party has put together a plan of attack. Fearing that Burnham’s era could put an end to their ability to leech more left-wing Labour members, they’ve decided to go all guns blazing against the (likely) new chancellor. An insider told the Independent she was “a gift” to the Greens who intend to paint her as an establishment stooge who proves Burnham’s Labour is no different from Starmer’s.

And finally, the World Cup is done and dusted but there’s no rest for local legend Morgan Rogers: the star Aston Villa midfielder is being transferred to Chelsea in a record-breaking £117 million deal. Villa fans, feel free to take out your anger in our comment section but try to keep it civilised — no Argentinian-style fisticuffs, please.

Catch up and coming up:

On Saturday, we got behind the wheel with artist and filmmaker Laisul Hoque who came to Birmingham to make a film about the Bangladeshi community and learnt to drive at the same time — no mean feat on these streets. Catch up here.
Olivia’s story from last week about rubbish-strewn Selly Oak sent our comments section into overdrive. Among the more serious debates were recollections from one reader who was familiar with the area in the 2000s, when it was dubbed “Smelly Oak” and was known in the national press for housing a “Selly Oak super rat”. Oh dear. Catch up here.
With Shabana Mahmood’s likely elevation to one of the most powerful positions in the country, The Dispatch still wants to know why she misled the public about her role in a historic election fraud trial. Our May investigation revealed that the home secretary’s father, Mahmood Ahmed, was involved in three fraudulent election campaigns back in 2004 and Shabana gave evidence to support him in court. Her own postal ballot was also investigated as part of the case. When we asked the home secretary about this, her spokesperson claimed she had nothing to do with it — but we got hold of the transcripts. Remind yourself what went down at the link below:

Photo of the week

Platform 10 on New street station taken by Jay. Instagram: @jayjayjetplane

Brum in Brief

Shabana Mahmood makes moves: All eyes are on Downing Street today where Andy Burnham has arrived at Number 10 Downing Street following Sir Keir Starmer's exit. One of his very first tasks will be to announce his new cabinet, with much speculation over the past few days about who will replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor. Birmingham MP for Ladywood and the current home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is widely tipped to enter Number 11, having apparently overtaken the former frontrunner for the role, Ed Miliband (although word on the street is that Mahmood doesn’t even want the job). Despite Burnham’s promise to alleviate factionalism within Labour, his party has other plans: the right has reportedly pushed for Mahmood’s appointment, complaining that soft-left Miliband will scare the markets and bring instability. On the other side, Mahmood’s detractors have briefed against her, with the Independent reporting exclusively yesterday their criticism of her support for tax and welfare cuts. They claim she privately called Reeves’s tax hikes: “ridiculous”, “anti-aspiration” and “anti-competitive”. As for what this could mean for Birmingham well — unlike Burnham, Mahmood doesn’t bring her home patch into her politics much. We’re not likely to see a Number 11 Brum anytime soon… (The Independent).

Leaky Greens: Meanwhile, the Greens have been plotting how to stay relevant now the government has a left(ish)-leaning prime minister. Over the weekend, the New Statesman reported on a leaked Green Party memo that shows they are planning to attack Mahmood’s economic plans, her tough anti-immigration measures, and her admiration for Margaret Thatcher. “Mahmood as chancellor would be an absolute gift to us,” a gleeful Green source told the paper, adding that “Burnham promised a new direction, but it looks like he’s already capitulating to the same establishment forces that have hollowed out the Labour Party for years.” (New Statesman, £).

Million-pound Morgan: Aston Villa fans will be fuming this week following the news their star player, Morgan Rogers, has been poached following his excellent World Cup run with England. After writing about transfer rumours last week, The Dispatch received several angrily panicked emails from Villa supporters about our suggestion that Rogers might go to Arsenal. Well fans must have wished on a monkey’s paw because the midfielder has instead been snapped up by Chelsea, for a record £117m. The 23-year-old from Halesowen will sign a six-year contract with the London team. Please, no emails this time. (BBC).

Quick Hits

🚨 Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after reports of large-scale disorder in Halesowen town centre on Saturday. (BBC).

🍝 New Jewellery Quarter Sicilian restaurant, Vieni, has had a rave review from Guardian food critic Grace Dent. The menu is “hearty, not trendy” she writes. (the Guardian).

🐉 A new charity, the Midlands Chinese Federation (MCF), supporting the Chinese community and culture across the Midlands has opened in Birmingham’s Chinatown. (Colmore Life).

Media picks

🎧 A shocking scandal at a West Midlands care home is the focus of the latest episode on the BBC’s Strange but True Crime podcast series. The case involves 83-year-old Rita, whose stay in Dudley’s Amberley Care Home was anything but restful. When care home manager Jamiel Slaney-Summers discovers her patient has no will, she sees an opportunity. Listen to the full story here.

💻 If you are at a loss now the World Cup is over, the four-part documentary Out Of The Floodlight promises plenty of Jude Bellingham lore. Watch here.

Our to do list

🎸 On Wednesday, the city will celebrate the first ever Ozzy Day on the one year anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death. Head to the city centre for a free programme of live music and tributes to the Black Sabbath icon.

🎷Fancy an electrifying evening of jazz? Check The multi-Grammy-nominated composer, Miho Hazama will be playing at the CBSO centre as part of Birmingham's annual Jazz & Blues Festival on Thursday.

🎭 A new rendition of barbershop butcher musical Sweeny Todd is showing at the Rep until 15 August.

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