Directly elected mayor for Nottingham is a 'stupid' idea says city council leader
THE leader of Nottingham City Council has ridiculed the "stupid" proposal of having a directly elected London-style mayor for the city.
The coalition government has said it will create mayors in the 12 largest English cities, subject to "confirmatory referendums and full scrutiny by elected councillors".
The Conservative party confirmed Nottingham was in this list before the election.
But Councillor Jon Collins, Labour leader of the city council, said: "In Doncaster it led to a failing, dysfunctional council, in Hartlepool they elected a monkey.
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"I think it's a stupid policy, it was stupid when Labour proposed it, it's stupid now.
"Having an elected dictator is not the best way forward."
Dr Matthew Ashton, politics lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, said the wording of the policy was not clear.
He said "confirmatory referendum" could mean they will hold the referendum after the appointment of the mayor.
"I'm always very suspicious of that because I don't think it's terribly democratic," he said.
"I think it's good in terms of having someone who has a mandate to speak for the entire city, sometimes it's good to have a single figure in power who will say, "this is what we're going to do" and cut through the red tape."
However, he warned that mayors are often "party political" and can be divisive.
He added: "More often than not it becomes about the person rather than the policy."
Comments
by IWuzThere
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 9:53PM
“The labour oligarchy has become so entrenched that it stifles any attempt at professionalism the officers may try to muster, if it goes against the ruling group's interest. They have built strong defences that external reviewers cannot penetrate. A mayor who is his own man (or her own woman) may just be able to open the windows and let in the fresh air of accountability and good governance.”
by kumkwat
Wednesday, February 29 2012, 8:01PM
“So 'stupid' he's taking our council tax money to fund a 'no' campaign!”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Sunday, May 23 2010, 5:44PM
“Talking about lies, Andyman, why DID you post here that you ran two companies, and then subsequently deny it?
Enquiring minds want to know.”
by Andyman, Derbys
Sunday, May 23 2010, 5:39PM
“I see the lies and nerferious tactics are alive and posted.
But then it is the weekend.”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Sunday, May 23 2010, 5:16PM
“Hello, Andyman / Jason.
And any other other names you are using at the moment.”
by Pro Bono Publico, Nottingham
Sunday, May 23 2010, 5:13PM
“The direct election of a mayor should, theoretically, give the populace the opportunity to elect a person who is suitably qualified for the post.
At the moment the mayor is elected by and from the present council members on buggins' turn and does not have any real executive power.
It is not enough to stand for election as mayor on some sort of populist agenda without having the skills or experience necessary to implement the changes. A candidate must needs demonstrate their ability to deliver the policy upon which they hope to be elected.
Jon Collins' fear of change is natural and to be expected having ruled the roost for so long but we are desperate for change, are we not?”
by Andy, ncclols.blogspot.com
Sunday, May 23 2010, 9:20AM
“That monkey in Hartlepool was re-elected to a third term last year, the only elected mayor to have achieved this, and Hartlepool Council gets ratings that Collins can only dream of.
As for Doncaster, that's been a basket case for years but an incompetent English Democrat mayor certainly didn't help.”
by Jan Thomas, Nottingham
Saturday, May 22 2010, 9:46PM
“They elected a monkey in Hartlepool? Must have been inspired by the ones running Nottingham City Council.”
by Noddy, Toyland
Saturday, May 22 2010, 8:03PM
“John Collins knows that if this comes off he will be the first to go. Well he will be when I'm Mayor.”
by Earl Manvers, Nottingham
Saturday, May 22 2010, 6:17PM
“How on earth that two-faced advert for the corruption of democracy and hypocrisy of representation can have the bare faced cheek to talk about dictators. This man has presided over one of the poorest performing Councils in the Country for years now and he is way past his sell by date. Funny that he did not mention his opposition to Labour's plans when he was putting himself up for MP.”