More thoughts from Brummies…
Our next set of voxpops from Brummies on their thoughts about what’s great in Brum, what could be improved and how a directly elected Mayor might benefit this great city.
Liverpool to get to move straight to electing a Directly Elected Mayor on May 3rd
So it seems Liverpool will be going straight to an election of a Mayor without the referendum as previously thought, after the Labour party group in the city backed the move formally. What are the implications for Liverpool? Will it bring any major change in governance and will there be any innovative thought about how [...]
Birmingham Forward and Future back a Directly Elected Mayor for Birmingham
The wider response in favour of Birmingham voting Yes to a directly elected mayor is growing. Following yesterday’s news that the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce are expected to adopt a yes stance, today we received this fantastic news. “Business and professional services organisation, Birmingham Forward and Future, has today announced that it supports the proposal [...]
Business groups to back mayor as Government announces ‘Super Thursday’ election date-The Chamberlain Files
Birmingham is on course for a ‘Super Thursday’ election in November when voters will choose a city mayor and a West Midlands police commissioner on the same day, Local Government Minister Greg Clark is expected to confirm next week. The double election will happen if Brummies agree to back a mayor in a referendum to [...]
Birmingham elected mayor’s powers to be decided after referendum-Birmingham Post
Ministers will ask Birmingham whether it wants a directly-elected mayor or not without revealing what powers a mayor will receive, the Government has admitted. No decision will be taken on devolving powers to a new city mayor until after they have been elected. Birmingham is to hold a referendum on May 3 on whether to [...]
Julia Higginbottom on:Should Plymouth have a US-style elected mayor?-Plymouth Herald
Interesting that towns and cities not voting in this referendum in May, are still debating the issue. Though the example of the Hartlepool Mayor is used as an example of a joke, it is in fact a great example of how an ordinary citizen can take a chance and be re elected twice. “THE Government [...]
London mayor gains powers over the Metropolitan Police-BBC News Online
What does this mean for relationship between possible Birmingham Mayor and elected Police commisioner? “London’s mayor is now responsible for the Metropolitan Police’s priorities and performance, as part of government plans for elected commissioners. The Metropolitan Police Authority was disbanded at midnight and replaced by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC). MOPC will [...]
Voters in elected mayors poll won’t know their powers -Yorkshire Post
“VOTERS will be asked to decide whether they want elected mayors to run four Yorkshire cities without knowing what powers the individual would wield. The Government has confirmed it will adopt a “bespoke” approach, with each of the cities able to request different powers if there is a “yes” vote in referenda on May 3. [...]
‘Most people not interested in elected mayor,’ says Bristol City Council leader-Bristol Evening News
via This is Bristol “BRISTOL’S Lib Dem council leader Barbara Janke has spoken out against the idea of an elected mayor for the city – a figurehead to take on big issues and make key decisions. She has set out her views in a response to the Government which launched a one-month consultation that ended [...]
Analysis: Who would we want for elected mayor of Liverpool?-Liverpool Echo
Liam Fogarty, former Radio Merseyside journalist who runs a Mayor for Liverpool campaign ON May 3 Liverpudlians will finally get the chance to decide if their city should have a directly-elected Mayor. It’s nice to be asked. The mayoral referendum is a reminder that our local democracy belongs to us, not to councillors or officials. [...]
