But the council also has a number of buildings it has been trying to sell. The old Aston Manor Transport Museum is big enough, and Pype Hayes Hall could lend itself to sympathetic conversion.

The Peers would also get a better grasp of the real world from their pews in Erdington or Aston – if they can stay awake long enough.

The rest of the world may see Birmingham as lagging behind in the glamour stakes but it has a lot to offer our ermine-robed betters and perhaps now is the time for our leaders, whoever they may be after this week’s elections and referendum, to make a bid.

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As this newspaper is published on polling day and before the results are known I have stayed clear of the election and referendum save for this point.

During his visit to Kingstanding the Labour leader Ed Miliband was challenged over the quality of politics. His host was the formidable community activist Linda Hines MBE.

She has run the Witton Lodge Community Association for many years during a time of transformation and regeneration on the estate and was given an MBE for services for the community.

She has been feted by many leading politicians as an example of the Big Society in action, although she seems to dislike the phrase. And she offered a sobering thought to the two Eds, Miliband and Balls and politicians of all colours.

She described herself as a floating voter but told the audience she is disenchanted with the political world.

“After seeing the bickering in the House of Commons yesterday I thought I’m not going to bother,” she said.

In response Ed Miliband muttered something about cynicism and politicians promising things at elections then not delivering. But really this goes beyond simple political point scoring.

If someone as active in their community as Linda Hines is thinking of pulling her vote what hope is there of tempting the apathetic masses?