Ken Hardeman, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for regeneration, who died yesterday aged 72, was almost unique among long-serving politicians in having few, if any, enemies.

Councillor Hardeman's boundless energy, total commitment to Birmingham and moderate but sound views gained respect in an environment where adversity is normally the name of the game.

At the 2004 city elections he switched from Moseley to represent the safe Tory seat of Brandwood, sparking claims that Hardeman had taken the "chicken run". For a short while Ken's speeches in the council chamber were interrupted by cluck-clucking noises and the waving of elbows by some of the more juvenile Labour councillors.

But the abuse didn't last long. No one could fall out with Ken for long.

He was, as many of his devastated colleagues and friends were quick to say, one of the good guys.

Coun Hardeman was taken to the City Hospital three weeks ago after suffering chest pains and breathing difficulties. Typically, he had to be persuaded by fellow councillors to leave a local authority planning seminar early.

Days before, he returned from an exhaustive trip to an urban cities conference in Johannesburg. Although far from well, he refused to countenance not going arguing that the invitation to talk about Birmingham's contribution to regeneration was a great honour.

A former paratrooper and businessman, Coun Hardeman always made a point of saying how proud he was to have been born in Aston. He played a prominent role in council affairs for 40 years.

He liked to amuse colleagues by telling how he had to be invalided out of the Paratroop Regiment after taking part in a show display and landing on the top of a bus. He went on to run several businesses in Birmingham including the Celebrity Restaurant in Broad Street.

Elected as a Liberal city councillor in 1966, he switched to the Conservatives in the late 1980s.

Since 2004, he had devoted his considerable energies to the regeneration of Birmingham and played a leading role in pushing forward major redevelopment projects at Eastside, Arena Central, Snow Hill and St Chad's.

He formed a close bond with city regeneration director Clive Dutton, and the two were a formidable team.

He was also one of the three Tory councillors closest to council leader Mike Whitby. Ken was highly regarded for giving his honest opinions to Whitby, unlike the yes-men and women who would tell the council leader what they thought he wanted to hear.

Coun Whitby interrupted a holiday in Barbados to pay tribute to Coun Hardeman, who he described as a 24/7 politician. He described Coun Hardeman as a highly influential politician who would go anywhere and see anyone if he thought it could bring development to the city.

His greatest achievement, according to Coun Whitby, was to restore faith among international developers that Birmingham was the sort of place where they could do business.

Coun Whitby added: "Ken was one of the great statesmen of Birmingham, a figure who dedicated over four decades of his life to public service. He was loved, admired and respected by all political parties, across the chamber.

"His work in regeneration was particularly impressive. He mastered a brief and worked well with his officers to drive forward an impressive programme of ongoing urban regeneration, admired throughout the world.

"He was a friend to so many people across the city, from all of our diverse communities. Throughout his life he worked tirelessly for many different causes who today will be devastated by this sad news.

"Ken was a true Birmingham entrepreneur. He worked tirelessly, always pushing himself to take on more work. However, he always remained a cheerful, friendly and dynamic personality

"In politics, Ken was deeply committed to making a difference to people's lives. He truly leaves Birmingham a better city.

"I have lost a close friend, a trusted and admired colleague and a respected member of the team helping to transform Birmingham. Ken will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with Shirley, his children and grandchildren who he loved dearly."

Cabinet colleague John Lines, a long-standing friend, said Coun Hardeman would be irreplaceable.

He said: "There cannot be many people in Birmingham who did not know Ken. You would never have believed he was 72, he lived life to the full and made an enormous contribution to the city."

Paul Tilsley, the deputy council leader, said: "I knew Ken for more than 40 years. We go back a very long way.

His dedication for Birmingham was unquestionable."

Sir Albert Bore, leader of the Labour group, said: "Ken was always someone who acted in a friendly and respectful manner. His contribution toward Birmingham has been immense and on behalf of the Labour group I would like to express my sincere condolences to his wife and family. He will be missed."

* If you would like to pay tribute to Ken Hardeman, there is a special thread at the messageboard.