So congrats to Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar, on his landslide victory in the Chamberlain News Person of the Year awards – or the Chamber POTYs as we like to call them.
The young councillor - who boasts almost as many Facebook followers as Lady Gaga – is even now celebrating his momentous victory by touring the streets of East Handsworth and Lozells in an open-topped bus.
He will be presented with his prize of an engraved enameled late 19th century chamber pot that probably might of been used by Joe Chamberlain himself – as soon as we win that bid on ebay.
Zaffar’s victory is all the sweeter as he held off challenges from his own party leader, Sir Albert Bore, as well as the doughty efforts of former Lord Mayor Anita Ward. Even the pre-Christmas rehabilitation of Andrew Mitchell couldn’t help the Sutton Tory MP rise any higher than fourth place in a poll that reportedly saw a greater turnout than the elected mayor referendum and the police commissioner election combined.
Cllr Zaffar took a break from his victory celebrations to tell The Chamberlain News: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me. I’m flattered. But Lozells & East Handsworth is full of people of the year. They’re the ones who deserve awards. I accept it on their behalf, although it all seems a bit potty to me.”
For those of you watching in black and white, here are those POTY results in full:
Congratulations Waseem, I’m not at all bitter that you beat my nominee Cllr Anita Ward into second place.
It was a tough campaign for the Councillor, but it was beyond doubt when his name was first put forward that he would triumph.
Charisma, intellect, kindness and capability will always shine through.
I am off to the betting office to collect my winnings along with my other 20 colleagues who voted for him.
Today we took the POTY from Sir Alberst’s grip, tomorrow we take the Council House urinals.
The revolution starts here, comrade
So was there a campaign? The Chamberlain News should feel honoured if there was…