7 nos so far to elected mayors
Wakefield and Newcastle have both voted no to an elected mayor. That makes , 7 nos, and 1 yes, with only Birmingham and Leeds left to declare.
Newcastle is one city where nobody can say the debate on elected mayors has been quiet. Back in 2009 when Centre for Cities spoke to then council leader John Shipley about his view on mayors he was in adamant opposition. He’s changed his mind since then and recognised the potentially positive role a mayor could have in tying up the strands of localism at a city level into a coherent picture. Greg Clark made a final plea to Newcastle voters earlier in the week, as did David Miliband, but Newcastle has voted no.
A strong ‘no’ campaign run by influential figures such as Labour’s Lord Beecham and by Unison is likely to have had an impact.
North Tyneside is one of the few local authorities in England to have a directly-elected Mayor, while Sunderland’s mayoral referendum in 2001 delivered a no vote.
All eyes are now on Birmingham and Leeds…
Leave a comment
Be the first to add a comment.