Both Belfast and Birmingham have iron men on the steps of a central square. First up, we have Belfast’s ‘The Speaker’ in front of the Custom House on Custom House Square:
These steps were traditionally a platform for public speaking up until the 1950′s and it’s said this was Ian Paisley’s first gig venue (a dubious honour).
Of course in Birmingham we have our very own political campaigner Thomas Attwood MP on the steps of Chamberlain Square:
Photo by Kaptain Kobold
Now The Speaker’s good – he’s full of spark and shout. But the heavy-duty loungecore that is Thomas Attwood appeals to me more. So there we have it – Birmingham’s Thomas Attwood wins it on my whim.
