Barbara Janke: Why I resigned as Bristol City Council leader
Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke, who today resigned just a week before Bristol's mayoral referendum, has insisted that the timing of her decision aimed to give a new Liberal Democrat leader time to prepare for local elections "over the coming months and years".
In a statement released this morning, Mrs Janke - who has led Bristol's Liberal Democrat party since 1997 and was appointed Leader of Council in June 2003 - said she was "enormously proud" of the Liberal Democrats' achievements.
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Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke
She also praised the stability of the council administration in Bristol, "despite the propaganda of Lords Adonis and Heseltine and other proponents of elected mayors".
Earlier this year she spoke out against the idea of an elected mayor for Bristol, stating that they would be no more than a "professional politician" who could do no better than traditional council leaders.
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However, a national poll by the Institute for Government last month claimed 38 per cent of people wanted a directly elected mayor rather than a council leader.
Mrs Janke will remain leader of the Liberal Democrats until the group's annual meeting on May 8, when her successor will be appointed.
Read Barbara Janke's full resignation statement below.
"I have been Bristol Lib Dem leader – apart from 2007-8 – since 1997. I am enormously proud of the Liberal Democrats' achievements here since then – growing from just a handful of members to become the largest party on the council, with a majority for two years."
"Despite the propaganda of Lords Adonis and Heseltine and other proponents of elected mayors, there have actually been few changes of council administration in Bristol over the last few years and for much of the period since 2003 we have led the council.
"We have achieved a great deal. Bristol, under our leadership, has become a greener, more creative and more prosperous city – led by a council which is leaner and more responsive to the needs of our communities.
"There have been, under the Lib Dems, huge efforts to change attitudes and reorganise the way the council works – successes that are a reflection, too, of Jan Ormondroyd's contribution as chief executive here over the last few years. I would like to offer her my particular thanks for her immense professionalism and support to me as Leader.
"Across the council, officers and other staff have also worked enormously hard to help turn round what was once a failing authority but is now greatly changed and focused on the public we serve.
"There are too many to thank individually, but over the next few days I hope to write to some of those I have worked particularly closely with.
"This will include, for instance, the team that has worked on our two bids to become the first UK city to win the European Green Capital award. If in June the judges make the award to Bristol, it will be a great accolade for our city and I will be very proud of our team, led by officers brought together by this administration.
"I have decided to stand down this year to allow the Liberal Democrats to choose a new leader who will take our cause to the voters in elections over the coming months and years."
Comments
by robiejonjones
Tuesday, May 01 2012, 12:10PM
“Goodby Lets hope we never see you again.”
by KBillies
Sunday, April 29 2012, 6:28PM
“Three cheers for Barbara who has worked tirelessly for the City”
by DennisB2012
Sunday, April 29 2012, 9:59AM
“If mrdogwalker can hear my comments at the bottom of the pit he is digging for himself......
It's quite true most people cannot attend Council meetings so you do have to "trust" the media to report things accurately. But certain parts of the media don't work like that, they like to push their own (or owner's) agenda in order to sell papers. Now, of course, you can watch what individuals say in Council meetings by using the Council's (un edited) bew casts of many meetings.
Can you offer an actual example of when credit was NOT given by our recent past Council Leader? You make specific criticisms that need to be substantiated. When freshly elected to the position it must be hard to praise the previous leader who has just been rejected by the wishes of the electorate, but Cllr Janke did give credit where it was due.
But I must not spoil a good myth.”
by Pud_Luver
Sunday, April 29 2012, 8:36AM
“This city has been run into the ground under Barbara Janke and her lib dem cronies. If I performed as poorly in my job my employer would have dismissed me years ago.”
by mr_b_collins
Saturday, April 28 2012, 8:39PM
“er
jumped before you were pushed more like. Good riddance to bad rubbish
and thanks for ruining this city with your ridiculous ideas.”
by mrdogwalker
Saturday, April 28 2012, 8:30PM
“@DennisB2012
In an ideal world, people would attend Full Council and/or Cabinet meetings. However, many people have distractions, such as work, family and suchlike, not to mention leisure, which get in the way of political obsession. It follows that they rely on the local media for their information. Councillors know this and put the appropriate spin on whatever they say to the media. When did you last hear a council leader rejecting praise for some supposed improvement, saying "Actually, this is due to to the policies put in place by the last adminstration"?”
by DennisB2012
Saturday, April 28 2012, 4:24PM
“Mrdogwalker appears to be having difficulty with distinguishing between the Leader of the elected Council trying to claim personal credit for something and, as they are the Leader of the Council, being the person the media approach for a comment.
The media will report anything they say in a way that suits them. Remember, the media often appear to have "creating controversy" high on their agenda - it sells more papers.
More people should attend Full Council or Cabinet meetings to see what is actually said and not rely on second hand reports.”
by mrdogwalker
Saturday, April 28 2012, 3:37PM
“@DennisB2012
You're right of course, the Council Leader doesn't make all the decisions. However, he/she is always ready to take the credit if they go right, either in fact or in the opinion of their supporters. So it's only fair that they should take the flak if things go wrong, either in fact or in the opinion of their opponents.”
by GanjaCrew
Saturday, April 28 2012, 10:18AM
“oh hell yeah goodbye”
by DennisB2012
Saturday, April 28 2012, 9:58AM
“It extraordinary that so many people think that the Leader of the Council makes and takes all of the decisions of the Council.
I blame the media for failing to report accurately how, and by whom, decisions are made. Sadly it still appears that the "facts" have never got in the way of "a good story".Hence the (E)P's readers and many "Commenters" are happy to go along with this line.
With more accurate reporting, the public would have a clearer understanding of what decisions are made and by whom and why.
Perhaps the (E)P could take the time to explain how the Leader of the Council works and then compare it directly with the considerably less democatic position of an "Elected Mayor".”