As predicted here, Baldamort is off to run for Mayor of Birmingham. A smart move…

UPDATE: Comrades greet the news:

Great news that Liam Byrne has quit the Shadow Cabinet. He was a major block to Labour ever offering a genuine alternative to the Tories

— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) March 29, 2012

UPDATE II: Byrne’s people are said to be furious that this has leaked today. He won’t go until a referendum has gone through in Brum, but had told Ed his intention to run today. The Watson-backed Sion Simon campaign, which will be the Brownite alternative to Byrne, are being accused of dirty tricks in spoiling their rivals launch and briefing the news out on a busy day for minimal impact. This one is going to get nasty…