Bristol mayoral election: Expect a flurry of hopefuls

“Racci, sadly Peter Abrahm although an excellent Lord Mayor would be too biased for a Mayor apart from being too old! You could say that Chris Davis who did 2 terms as Lord Mayor would be good, but again he could be biased, and too old. You need someone who can give the city a good few years of active work. Someone with vision who is not biased to any political party. The only person at the moment with any kingd of experience in development and business is George Fr=ergusion. He is not to my mind the ideal candidate but at the moment he is the only one who stands out. Mind you, just as well he will not be the Civic showman as he would have to change red trousers for black tights. He couldn't possibly appear in regalia wearing red tights that would look silly!”

“Interesting candidates. Mainly political which begs the question why change the system which worked well for many years. Please keep the post of Council Leader AKA Mayor strictly non partisan or non politcal. This is the only way we get fairness into the system.

So this would excelude the candidates with Party backing. Who at the moment is left? George Freguson, he has done a hell of a lot for the City, but is becoming reather biased and against a lot of redevelopment unless it is anti car.

Malik would get some votes if an Independent but I don't believe he is well known enough, which is also the case with Marvin. I had never heard of him until the other night. I do not feel he has the business acumen needed to run a big city.

Peter Abraham is simply too old , Barbara Janke has retired.

So all in all with the current candidates I would have to go with George Freguson because he at least has a vision, but he would need to widen his horizons for the good of the City.

This brings us to election time

We will be voting for a Coomissioner of the Police as well using the AV system for some reason.

I can see lots of confused voters if we have one system for that and another system for the Mayor.!!! This will need sorting out properly using a full Council agreement (if that is ever possible) it will need a proper explanation of both systems PRIOR to the election and a lot of discussion with public input. NOT just the party in power deciding what to do.

Anyway, I await comments with interest on this subject hoping I have done enough to get a discussion going on this site without being confrontational to anyone. It would be nice tpo see comments which are in line with a debate rather than ones which put thinkers down. Everyone has a right to a viewpoint”

“Spud Murphy announced his candidature on Radio Bristol a couple of hours ago. He says he won't seek the Conservative Party nomination but will stand as an Independent.

I desperately hope we don't get a mayor representing a political party. That will immediately return us to the petty, party political squabbling that's been at the root of the city's stagnation for so many years. Anything proposed by a party political mayor would instantly be opposed by the councillors representing the other parties, purely on political grounds even though they might really agree with it and think it a good idea.

The fact that the mayor needs to be a go-getter, with huge leadersip qualities and experience of successfully running a large organisation should be obvious to all but still needs saying........continually.”

“To right Bristolexpat!!!

If we are to have an elected mayor, it has to be an independent, not some party affiliated puppet figure!!!!”

“Let's hope that when the time comes the people of Bristol treat the "party nominated" candidates with the disdain they deserve.

It's our Mayor, and it's our one chance to wrestle some small part of the pie back from those clowns who would have us believe do a great job running our city.

independent candidates all the way.....”

“I'm afraid this will be a two horse race between whoever gets the Labour nomination, and whoever the financial backing of the business community.”

“Peter Abraham was a great Lord Mayor, has done a lot of good for our city and really cares about what happens to it, I think he is the man for the job and will be backing him all the way.”

“Does anyone believe that Ferguson is truly independent?”

“Will Peter Hammond and Helen Holland be daggers drawn over this for the nomination?

Its an open secret they loathe each other.

Looks like there is much blood letting to come before the scars will heal from last years bruising internal strife.

Lets hope they can sirt the infighting out once and for all.”

“I wonder if changing my name to Mr Eat Spam It's Good For The Environment Vauxhall Dairy Lea Students Drink For Free Ford Mondeo and running as mayor would bring the election into any more disrepute than what the current bunch of ****s intend?”