Seeking Your Views on an Elected Mayor

The Leicester Liberal Democrats are holding an online survey on whether Leicester should have an elected Mayor.

An elected Mayor, not to be confused with the ceremonial Lord Mayor, could replace the Leader of the City Council and Chief Executive. Such a person would have sweeping executive powers. The Labour Group have already stated in local press that they support the idea and will push for a elected Mayor through a Council meeting rather than to hold a referendum - cutting out a say by the public.

Mayors usually choose a cabinet, and council meetings are directed by a chairman. Since 2001, there have been 37 referendums by English councils - with 12 resulting in the election of mayors.

Go online to the Liberal Democrat Council Group Leaders page at www.petercoley.org.uk to make your views known.

Councillor Peter Coley said," It's one thing to have a democratic referendum of the people of Leicester to see if they want an elected mayor but something quite different for a small group of local labour politicians to try and impose an elected mayor on us.

Personally I think the jury is still out on the concept of an elected mayor, it seems to work in London reasonably well but other places have had a less positive experience.

At the end of the day the powers granted to an elected mayor mean the city will get, at best, an benign dictatorship and at worse ...I shudder to think.

We were scheduled to get a referendum on whether we want a mayor in May and it is very sad that a small group of local politicians who clearly just want power for it's own sake are intent on taking that right away from us.

If an elected mayor is such an obviously brilliant idea then let the people of the city decide whether we want one, don't impose it through deals behind closed doors."