In the 1998 referendum on setting up a Greater London Authority with a Mayor of London and London Assembly I voted No. This was despite the encouragement of the Conservative leader William Hague for Londoners to vote Yes. I though that it would be another layer of bureaucracy. That despite the assurances of Tony Blair […]
The Guardian this morning has a poll which shows agreement, by 61% to 34%, with the proposition: "a local council mostly run by councillors from political parties that have a local majority" than adopt "a directly elected mayor" to run things in their area. Does this mean that the Government will face the embarrassment next […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter David Cameron goes to Bristol today to encourage the city to vote for a directly-elected mayor. Conservative HQ have realeased two early extracts from his speech: "Britain stands on the brink of exciting democratic change. Just over a week from now the polling stations will go up, the voters will […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter It hasn't been a great week for the Government but there is some good news to report. The Coalition's City Mayors initiative is really beginning to take off. It's been leaked this evening that Liam-there-is-no-money-left-Byrne will leave the shadow cabinet if Birmingham chooses to have a directly-elected mayor. Mr Byrne […]
I read in Prospect magazine an interview with former Labour MP Sion Simon, who wants to be the Labour directly elected Mayor of Birmingham if such a post is created. Among his policies is to abolish the post of chief executive of Birmingham City Council. "It is important for someone to take total responsibility," he […]
Congratulations to Tony Caldeira who has been chosen to be the Conservatives candidate in the election of Mayor of Liverpool taking place on May 3. Tony announced his campaign at the time of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress. His home textiles company was founded on a Liverpool market stall and now manufactures and sells its products […]
The Labour Party have chosen the former Labour MP Ian Stewart to be their candidate for the directly elected Mayor of Salford. The election takes place in May and the selection of Mr Stewart is a snub to the Labour council leader Cllr John Merry. The Conservative candidate is Cllr Karen Garrido who is promising […]
Added at 8pm on Sunday, Pickles video: *** Eric Pickles has written to councils to confirm that the general power of competence in the Localism Act includes the legal right to say prayers at the start of their meetings. This guidance is felt to effectively overturn the court ban on prayers last week. Remember you […]
Salford voted Yes to a directly elected Mayor in a referendum yesterday and so will elect a Mayor in May. The vote was 17,344 in favour to 13,653 against. So a clear majority. But a low turnout of 18%. Geoffrey Berg, whose petition brouught about the referendum said: "We are very pleased, especially as Labour […]
The Daily Telegraph reports that elections for mayors in major cities will be held on November 15th. It could be as many as 11 depending on which decide too switch to the system in referendums on May 3rd. The decision makes sense as it will boost turnout and reduce cost as that will be the […]
There is to be a referendum in Salford next month on having a directly elected Mayor. This follows a petition with 9,062 valid signatures, over 5% of the electorate, calling for one. If the referendum approves the proposal then an election for a directly elected Mayor will follow in May. The driving force behind the […]
Cllr Peter Golds, leader of the Conservative opposition on Tower Hamlets Councils, says executive Mayors in local authorities have too much power At the Olympic opening ceremony next July four of England’s directly elected Mayors will be in pride of place. As well as London’s Mayor there will be the three Executive Mayors for Hackney, […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter The latest poll by YouGov, released today (full PDF here) is encouraging for Boris Johnson. The Mayor leads Labour candidate Ken Livingstone by 48% to 41%. This is compared to Ken leading Boris 45% to 42% in February of this year, and a tight lead for Boris (46%-44%) in […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter Yesterday Rob Hayward drew our attention to a House of Commons Library briefing paper, regarding the results of the local and mayoral elections in May. Summarised below are some key facts about the local elections contained in that briefing. Conservative council seat facts: The Conservatives won or retained 5,108 […]