Bradford has been held up as an example in the House of Commons of cross- party opposition to imposing a mayor on the city.
Comments made by Labour Council leader Ian Greenwood and by Conservative leader Anne Hawkesworth to the Telegraph & Argus have been used by Labour to highlight widespread opposition around the country to the plans.
Under Government proposals, the 12 largest cities will hold a referendum on whether they want to have a mayor.
Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood will automatically become “shadow mayor” from the summer, even though a promised referendum on the switch will not be held until May 2012.
Labour’s shadow local government minister Barbara Keeley told the Commons some council leaders did not want a mayor imposed on them.
She said: “The leader of Bradford council, Councillor Ian Greenwood, has said that the automatic selection of shadow mayors is counter-productive to democracy."
- Read the full story in Wednesday’s T&A
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