Campaigners put their views on Bradford mayoral vote (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Campaigners put their views on Bradford mayoral vote

10:40am Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in News By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter

Greg Clark Vote YES in tomorrow’s mayoral referendum.

It is a big opportunity for Bradford and in my view people in Yorkshire have had too quiet a voice nationally and it is a real opportunity for them to have someone representing their city at a national level, and through the cabinet of mayors the Prime Minister will create.

A mayor will be good for Bradford’s economy and its prosperity as cities are now competing against each other and in direct competition with each other, for example Lyon, Bangalore, Shanghai and Bradford need to compete for investment.

Most of these international cities are represented by a powerful elected mayor and Bradford will lose out of they do not have the same level of leadership. Last year the only big city to have a mayor was London but by the end of this year there will be a mayor in Liverpool and Leicester and I believe other big cities too. For its history, strength and potential I believe Bradford should vote yes and it would be a real disadvantage to vote no.

It has never been a party political thing. People from all parties are in favour or against and we created the referendum to give people the choice and chance.

Kris Hopkins Vote NO in tomorrow’s referendum.

Tomorrow, the people of Keighley and Ilkley will face our most important vote in almost four decades. It was 1974 when both towns lost their independence and were dragged into the new Metropolitan Borough of Bradford.

Despite the efforts of many good people from Keighley, Ilkley and the surrounding areas, we have never since been in control of our own destinies with Bradford City Hall instead being empowered to chart our course.

And despite Keighley and Ilkley residents paying more in council tax than the three Bradford constituencies combined, we have seen a very poor return for our money.

I have long believed that the time has come for us to be given back responsibility for our own futures and allowed to set up our own local authority, perhaps in partnership with Shipley.

But, before then, a huge threat awaits in the form of a Bradford-based directly-elected mayor being handed significant powers and resources to shape our lives.

This referendum is not about party politics, it is about what is in the best interests of local people.