George Ferguson hosts jamboree for 500
GEORGE Ferguson was "bowled over" by the response to his mayoral campaign when he held a jamboree in the city.
The architect encouraged people to join him at a big top by Temple Meads last night to share their views for the future of Bristol.
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Red trousers all round – mayoral candidate George Ferguson and stilt-walkers at the jamboree at Temple Meads
He estimated about 500 people had turned up to hear him speak and give their feedback on what they want from a mayor in Bristol.
The independent candidate said the reaction to his event confirmed his position as the principal candidate to oppose Labour in the November vote.
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"I got enormous enthusiasm for the message that I gave," he said.
"The main purpose of the meeting was to begin to build an organisation that can compete with the big party machines in terms of people, resources and money, and this was the beginning of it."
Feedback was given by those who turned up for the event and Mr Ferguson will now go through the comments to find out what the key themes were.
"The obvious things that appear are transport, jobs, care for the elderly and education, the environment and health, which were all areas I covered in my speech and I think there was great enthusiasm for the attitude I would bring to the job.
"I was bowled over by the number of people who came and listened. They heard what I had to say and now we are on a roll."
Mr Ferguson said his mayoral campaign was currently in the listening stage, where he hears what the people of Bristol want from a mayor.
"They want to know that I am not just going to say yes to everything but that I will make them feel that they are a part of the governance of Bristol and make them realise I am answerable only to them and not a political party."
Comments
by green_man
Friday, July 06 2012, 12:21PM
“Interesting that George has generated these numbers and this reported, at least, enthusiam. He's gained some momentum in his campaign and some advantage through declaring his candidacy early on and being the first to send out a leaflet. Despite his Liberal background and pretty obvious broadly liberal approach to politics he is and will benefit from not being a candidate representing a political party. He also has a decent national standing and can point to a list of achievements that will impress some voters. My question to George however is - where's the beef? Please openly state your principles and convictions in a good deal more detail than you already have. He appears to be pursuing a strategy of trying to win the Mayoral election mostly on the basis of finding out what people want and then saying that this is his policy rather than getting elected because he is openly stating policy convictions. For me he is clearly the main opposition to Labour's candidate Marvin Rees though.”
by bedmobaloo
Friday, July 06 2012, 11:52AM
“Bristolian public hear news of possible mayor, spend rest of day debating his trousers...
THEY'RE RED! RED! IT'S A MADNESS!”
by Oddly
Friday, July 06 2012, 11:19AM
“This is the one potential Lord Mayor that visits other European cities as part of his job, understands how the best ones work, & who promotes the benefits of light rail, just as the city finally gets the money to build a system.”
by AliRobertson
Friday, July 06 2012, 11:10AM
“A puppet of the Merchant venturers? Hardly. He's been a highly vocal opponent of at least two supermarket developments that they've supported.
Fuschia, there was at least one story in the Evening Post giving details of his do and saying that it was open to all: it really wasn't private.”
by Cider_Dog
Friday, July 06 2012, 9:20AM
“Red trousers, black heart...
This man is simply a puppet for the Merchant Venturers and controlled via remote control by the kingpins in the Clifton Club.
He is a sort of 'Manchurian Candidate' just not as cool or talented as either Sinatra or Denzel.
Never cross to the red trousered side.”
by blahblkah
Friday, July 06 2012, 8:57AM
“Look at me in my outragous red trousers.”
by PortisheadAH1
Thursday, July 05 2012, 11:50PM
“A lot of razzamatazz, music, specially created songs.......what does this remind me of? Oh yes, American political campaigns. No thanks!”
by Fuchsia
Thursday, July 05 2012, 4:47PM
“Who was invited? I wasn't!
I'd have liked to ask how much he's going to let the Merchant Venturers pull his strings. Please don't think he's truly independant. He's a MV and they're the secret society that holds Bristol back. At least we know what the policies of candidates from the political parties are based on and it's all democracy one way or another. The Merchant Venturers are anti-democratic and he is their puppet, err I mean candidate.”
by Joke_Bristol
Thursday, July 05 2012, 2:06PM
“Or indeed, 'good' luck. Ha.”
by Joke_Bristol
Thursday, July 05 2012, 2:05PM
“I was there last night and it was a great evening. Goof luck to George, he has his faults perhaps but his heart is in the right place and I suspect he'll get more done in a year than anyone else will manage in five.”