Thank you all for your incredibly kind words. I’m afraid it’s beyond me to reply to everyone individually, but I have taken the time to read all the messages and your support means a great deal. Most importantly thank you again to all those who worked with me to better the WM.

The Knife Angel was an incredibly powerful symbol when it came to Walsall, and I know this new sculpture by The James Brindley Foundation will do the same Following the tragic murder of Leo Ross, these initiatives - & our support for them - are more important than ever to end youth violence.

Great to take The Times and The Sunday Times to Tropea & to see such a glowing review. We are blessed to have the most glorious food scene - from desi-pubs to Michelin stars - and so if other critics fancy the trip then we have plenty more spots to show off🍴 thetimes.com/life-style/foo…

Fantastic to see Edgbaston’s expansion approved, alongside Knighthead’s latest investment We worked incredibly hard to get these off the ground, & so it brings great pride seeing them come to fruition now Times aren’t easy in Brum, but these deals show the future can be bright

Fantastic visit to University College Birmingham - one of the country’s leading specialist higher education facilities. They were a great partner during my time as Mayor as we worked together to cut the skills gap, & so it was brilliant to get to see the results of that work coming to fruition.

Seeing Birmingham’s reputation in the mud again because of the strikes is deeply depressing. So many did so much to change Brum’s perception, and now that’s all being undone. But Brummie believers please don’t lose hope. Our city will bounce back, & it’ll need us more than ever

Great to see retail giant Harvey Norman betting on our region with a new store & UK HQ in Sutton Coldfield 👏🏻 I’ve spent a lot of time (both during & after being Mayor!) with the different teams & so I’m delighted the deal has finally been signed. Well done to all involved 🤝🏻

An honour to attend the Kabaddi World Cup after we secured the competition under my Mayoralty. But being there I couldn’t help but remember Ian Brookfield and the work we did together. This event wouldn’t have happened without him - and it’s a fitting legacy for a true leader.

In 18 months Brum has gone from record investment to rubbish & rats. But we’re only down, not out. When the strikes end we’ll all need to come together to repair our city’s reputation once again, and now is the time to think what part we're all going to play in that fightback.

We caught up with Andy Street ‘WM needs an image rebuild’ See full here here westmidlands.news/andy-street-re…

If you didn't know already there's a great interactive exhibition on at New Street telling stories of the Commonwealth Games and its legacy. Expertly put together by United By 2022 using Games' underspend money we secured from Government, it's its last day today so don't miss out

A shame to fall short but what a two days for Birmingham City FC & everyone involved going from league winners to Wembley 👏🏻 How refreshing as well to see Birmingham’s name in the news for the right reasons. A timely reminder after a torrid few months of just how special our city can be ⭐

Birmingham’s reputation has taken a hammering, but the underlying fundamentals that make our home so special remain. From sport to culture, arts to investment, we still have much to be proud of - & so when the strikes end it’s on all of us to get out there & sell our city again.

You don’t get anywhere being defined by others. So instead of chasing the right, the Conservatives should be championing economic & social liberalism to redefine the centre ground. I spoke to The New Statesman about the case for Moderate Conservatism 👇🏻 newstatesman.com/politics/uk-po…

Brilliant to be back in Coventry to see the progress on the regeneration of City Centre South & the launch of Very Light Rail - projects we helped fund & worked closely with Coventry City Council to make happen. VLR is already proving so popular that all the test rides are fully booked 🚈

Many of you have always wanted me locked-up for being a 'terrible Tory' - and now your wish has been granted 🔒 Fortunately it's only one night to support LoveBrumUK in raising money for the brilliant Cash for Kids charity. You can donate to them here👇🏻 cashforkidsgive.co.uk/donate/cash-fo…

Our heritage is so important to the West Midlands’ story, but without concerted action we’re at real risk of losing it. The fantastic new West Midlands Heritage charity is up & running, but they can’t do it all alone. Our future as a region needs to build on our past, not erase it.

Wishing Liam Byrne MP every success with this debate & I hope MPs across all sides of the house will join forces to support him. 50 years and counting with no accountability nor closure for the families and the city. There just has to be a public inquiry. birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-…