An "Elected" Mayor.

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 09:30

Arising from a few threads; bins, the bed settee, town centre regeneration etc, it struck me that this might be something worth a second look. London has an Elected Mayor in Ken Livingstone, and whether you approve of him or not he does appear to be getting things moving. I am sure that Tealeaf will want to add something here.

Perhaps an Elected Mayor is a way out of the small-minded "little" thinking that currently plagues HBC. I know that the project for "Elected Mayors" was once close to the heart of the Deputy Prime Minister, perhaps if we were to indicate our willingness to elect one, there might be a range of funding available that would not otherwise come our way.
Just a thought....

What do you think?

Wez · 31-01-2005, 09:34

It's a blinder of an idea!

When can I start?

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 09:36

Right, that's two of us in agreement, any more?

Wez · 31-01-2005, 09:41

on a more serious note, I do think it's a good idea, but don't we already have a mayor?

I'm sure I saw them at the CAMRA beer festival in the town hall... Or maybe that was the Delerium Tremens.

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 09:50

Yes, we do already have a Mayor, but he is a councillor just like all the rest and has no special or extra powers. It is a purely ceremonial function and he acts as the Queen's representative in the Borough and the honour is conferred on someone different every year. An Elected Mayor, on the other hand, would have executive powers and would be elected for a longer term.

WillowTheWhisp · 31-01-2005, 10:05

Would anyone be willing to take on such a role?

Are we talking about something like the American type mayor?

I'm all in favour of anything to shake up HBC and get a different outlook on things.

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 10:16

Have a look at this from the BBC, there are links at the bottom of the page to related stories.

http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/low/uk_n...cs/3512681.stm

Wez · 31-01-2005, 10:45

After reading that Bob I have to say I'm even more so in favour of your idea. I even think it warrants further attention either from ourselves or at the least some other Accringtonians, has anyone propositioned HBC with this as yet?

It would probably shape up the town somewhat, has to be better than our councils retarded ideologies anyway..

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 11:18

If memory serves, the Idiot-in-Chief is dead set against it. Well, he would be...wouldn't he?

Tealeaf · 31-01-2005, 12:10

The argument for an elected mayor is overwhelming; the argument against is Ken Livingstone. Britcliffe is to Nelson Mandela what Ken Livingstone is to Saddam Hussein, I'm afraid.

Possibly a better example of an elected mayor is the monkey from Hartlepool. I don't remember his name, but he'd no experiance of party politics whatsoever, his prior role being the football club mascot (monkey hangers). Elected mainly in jest,this guy appears to have got things moving in Hartlepool (well, he had last time I looked).

If we look at the US, all senior positions within local government tend to be elected - mayor, sheriff, fire officer - and their system works far better than ours at far less cost.
I think the moral of the story is elect the mayor, yes - but make sure he's not a slimey politician.

entwisi · 31-01-2005, 13:12

My only concern would be if PB got in!

Its fine giving power to someone but you have to remember it comes with responsibility

WillowTheWhisp · 31-01-2005, 13:18

How would PB get in? Who on earth would vote for him?

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 14:08

Errmmm, quite a few people did.

Margaret Pilkington · 31-01-2005, 14:39

This idea was on the news at lunch time......along with local councils being elected for 4 years. When I heard it I though it was a good idea, and for some reason A-B.... I thought of you!

Acrylic-bob · 31-01-2005, 14:44

How very kind of you Margaret, but I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind voting for me - I wouldn't! What was it Groucho Marx said about not wanting to join any club that would have him as a member?