Elected mayor 'is in your hands' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

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Elected mayor 'is in your hands'

8:20am Monday 13th February 2012 in News

Cities Minister Greg Clark (left) with Bradford East MP David Ward on a recent visit

A referendum will take place in Bradford, along with nine other major cities, on Thursday, May 3, to decide whether the district should have a directly-elected Mayor. If the result is yes, an election will be held in November. Here, writing exclusively for the Telegraph & Argus, Cities Minister Greg Clark outlines the reasons why he feels an elected mayor will benefit Bradford.

I was delighted to sign an order which will give residents here in Bradford the chance to put a directly-elected mayor at the helm.

Putting pen to ballot paper, voters here, and those in the nine other cities, hold the power to bring in a new politics on May 3.

Why is this such a great opportunity?

First, these mayors will be able to change things for the better.

They are not ceremonial appointments. They are proactive, democratic figures, with a clear mandate from the electorate: to lead the Council, attract investment, represent the city and fight for Bradford’s interests.

A recent poll found that the number of people who could recognise their elected mayor was double those who could recognise their council leader.

Just look at London – the capital has transformed since it has elected its own mayor. And that’s the sort of leadership you could have right here.

Second, a directly-elected mayor will make politics answer to you, not the other way round.

Too often, people feel their communities are controlled by people a long way from them.

But internationally, in the great cities which are led by directly-elected mayors, things are different.

If people want something to happen – they know who to go to.

If something goes wrong – they know who is accountable.

If someone needs to speak for the city – they can rely on the mayor they have elected.

To coin a phrase, the buck stops with the mayor – plus, if you don’t like them you can vote them out.

It’s all part of this Government’s belief that the right decisions are more likely to be made in the town hall rather than Whitehall Third, a directly-elected mayor will energise politics in your city.

The cities with mayors have real debates about their future, they have high profile campaigns, all with the aim of having better services, a better environment and a stronger economy.

After all, everyone who lives here knows Bradford’s needs and aspirations are different to those of other cities. That is why this role attracts someone who knows their patch, who fights their corner – batting for Bradford on a national and international level.

Some argue that council leaders already represent and fight for the cities they represent. But council leader is voted for by other councillors and can only be ousted by colleagues.

Mayors, on the other hand, are voted in by the people, accountable to the people. Free from the threat of being replaced by a fellow councillor, they are able to take a more long-term view of their tenure.

We are giving every resident in Bradford the chance to consider what a mayor could give their city.

As I said, every city is different, every city has the right to determine its future.

The cost of the referendum will not come out of local coffers – it is being met by central government – and the system is actually intended to reduce bureaucracy and costs at a local level.

I believe the benefits of this system are clear.

But the choice is now yours – you will have the opportunity on May 3 to vote on the way that your city is governed.

Whatever you decide – please use that vote and have your say.

Comments(24)

Thee Voice of Reason says...
8:26am Mon 13 Feb 12

Something has to change as the council appear to represent themselves and nobody else as it stands. Purchasing parking meters whilst giving the impression they were listening to the concerns of the retail in Bradford and keeping free parking for all their staff to me shows how self serving they are.