George Ferguson tipped to become Bristol's first elected mayor
ARCHITECT George Ferguson has emerged as the early favourite to become Bristol’s first elected mayor.
He is quoted by Ladbrokes at 2/1 while former Labour councillor Kelvin Blake is his nearest rival at 5/1.
Mr Ferguson, who is standing as an independent and launched his election campaign at a meeting earlier this week, said: “It’s slightly disappointing – I was hoping for longer odds at this stage; it’s hardly worth putting on a bet!
“Of course, when the Labour candidate is selected, the picture is bound to change, but I do expect to be their principal challenger, as it appears do they. There is a long way to go and I hope Bristol is spared too much politicking over the next six months.”
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Mr Blake, who is confined to a wheelchair after a motorbike accident six years ago, has been shortlisted with four other Labour members to become the party candidate. They are former Wansdyke MP Dan Norris (6/1); Labour leader Peter Hammond (6/1); former council leader Helen Holland (8/1); and party activist Marvin Rees (12/1).
They hold five of the six shortest odds because Ladbrokes believes a Labour candidate has the best chance of winning the election on November 15. Labour are quoted at 4/5 while the chances of an independent winning are given as 6/4.
The Liberal Democrats have yet to choose a candidate but Lib Dem council leader Simon Cook is given as 12/1. He has not yet indicated whether he will go for the job.
Former Lib Dem councillor Abdul Malik and Tory leader Peter Abraham are both quoted at 16/1. Mr Malik, a successful businessman from Easton is hoping to be the Lib Dem candidate but would otherwise probably stand as an independent.
Mr Abraham has yet to declare his intention to seek his party’s nomination.
It was reported yesterday the Lib Dems would not put forward a candidate at all, and instead tell people to vote for Mr Ferguson. But the Bristol party chair, Andy Morgan, dismissed the claims as rumour. “We haven’t even met to discuss it yet,” he told the Post. “There are quite a few options and that is remotely one of them but no decision has been taken. In any event, George Ferguson has stated that he would be an independent candidate.”
Ladbrokes also quote former Tory councillor Spud Murphy at 33/1, Respect Party candidate Paulette North at 50/1 and Banksy at 66/1.
Two outsiders are Craig Clarke, an independent, and Eric Mutch who is changing his name to Mr Corrupt Self-serving Lying B’stard, who are each offered at 200/1.
Matthew Shaddick, political odds compiler at Ladbrokes, said: “We are working on the basis that a Lib Dem or Tory win is probably unlikely in the current circumstances although Boris has shown that winning is possible with the right candidate.
“I imagine it’s going to be difficult for them (the Tories) to attract anyone high profile enough to make a difference, given that the chances of winning look slim.
“The Lib Dems’ local strength would normally have made them look a good bet but current national poll standings will put most people off.
“The Labour race looks very difficult to call and whoever wins that will probably become favourite, although George Ferguson does look a plausible alternative. Independents have won such contests in the past – Doncaster is a good example.
“And of course, there is still plenty of time for another non-party candidate to get involved. If anyone can tap into the general anti-politics mood of the times, they must have a chance.
“George Galloway managed it in Bradford, although I’m not sure if Mr Corrupt Self-seeking Lying B’stard is the man for the job.”
Panel:
Winning Candidate:
2/1 George Ferguson
5/1 Kelvin Blake
6/1 Dan Norris
6/1 Peter Hammond
8/1 Helen Holland
12/1 Marvin Rees
12/1 Simon Cook
16/1 Peter Abraham
16/1 Abdul Malik
33/1 Spud Murphy
50/1 Paulette North
66/1 Banksy
200/1 Craig Clarke
200/1 Eric Mutch
Winning Party:
4/5 Labour
6/4 Independent
8/1 Liberal Democrats
12/1 Conservatives
Comments
by KBillies
Tuesday, May 22 2012, 7:31PM
“This man is impressive and seems to be transcending differences in political philosophy.”
by soulsurfer999
Tuesday, May 22 2012, 7:49AM
“Banksy for mayor? Apparently there is a Facebook page already:
http://tinyurl.com/czhokl6”
by corrupt
Sunday, May 20 2012, 12:27PM
“200/1 if people all over bristol starting putting a quid on then ladbrokes would soon reduce the price.....and that could start to snowball, which could turn into an avalanche ;-)”
by corrupt
Sunday, May 20 2012, 9:41AM
“Oops sorry about the CAPITALS. its not an angry statement its just pasted from my campaign website.
This week shopkeepers in clones have started accepting illegal tender ( the defunct punt) and the French president has called for a transaction tax.
that's two of the things I called for last week. just the unconditional basic income guatantee to go and its mission accomplished ;-)
Now who's the fool?
Here's a link to the clones story http://tinyurl.com/7dzh2ef”
by corrupt
Sunday, May 20 2012, 9:34AM
“I AM KEEPING MY CAMPAIGN TO A SINGLE MANIFESTO PLEDGE
" I WILL TURN "BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL" INTO "THE BANK OF BRISTOL", PRINT A LOCAL CURRENCY FOR BRISTOL, CALLED "THE BRISTOL POUND" AND I WILL USE THIS CURRENCY TO PAY AN UNCONDITIONAL BASIC INCOME OF £15000 BRISTOL POUNDS, INDEX LINKED TO INFLATION, TO ALL RESIDENTS OF BRISTOL, WHETHER THEY ARE WORKING, NON WORKING OR RETIRED. I WILL ALSO ONLY ALLOW COUNCIL TAX PAYMENTS AND HOUSING BENEFIT PAYMENTS TO BE MADE IN BRISTOL POUNDS"
" I WILL FUND THIS BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE WITH A LOCAL SALES TAX ON ALL BRISTOL POUND TRANSACTIONS.
THE LOCAL SALES TAX WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE "TOBIN TAX" THAT IF MADE ON FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AND BY INVESTMENT BANKS, WOULD PAY OFF THIS WHOLE FINANCIAL MESS THAT THE WORLD CURRENTLY FINDS ITSELF IN
However, as I engage in dialogue with the residents of Bristol, I am becoming aware of manifesto promises that they would like to see. So in order to help my fellow candidates out a bit, I am listing here, as they arise, all manifesto promises that the residents of Bristol tell me they would like to see, and I heartily recommend that one of the other candidates takes them on as his/her own, because they are definite vote winners, as they come from the electorate of Bristol.
MANIFESTO PROMISES I RECOMMEND TO THE OTHER CANDIDATES
1. Abolish schools fines for non attendance at school. Since when has any business fined its customers for rejecting its product?
2. Quadrupple rates on empty buildings, to entice landlords to get them occupied by any means possible. The homeless and creative collecticves to be acknowledged as occupying a building
3. Criminalize "surplus food being put into landfill" and encourage people to work for Fairshare
4. Compulsory "Non Violent Communication" lessons on all Bristol Schools curriculum
5 City of Bristol to host a monthly "Open Space" event, for all Bristol residents, entitled "Bristol: How Do We Make It Even Better"
6. All politicians pay packet to be "reduced" to the national average of £489 per week (including Lobbying Fees!!!!!)
7. Use the monthly "Mayors Round Table meeting with Mr Cameron" to convince our David to invoke a one-off windfall tax of 20% on the £4 trillion wealth of the richest 10% in this country. This would pay off the nations debt at a stroke and still leave them all as the richest 10%
8. Get Lothian buses to run the bus service in Bristol. Their bus service in Edinburgh is very cheap and very frequent, usually a bus every 10 minutes, and covers prqactically every road in the city.
9. Make elections truely democratic. Put a "none of the above" box on all ballot papers.
10. Run a City of Bristol TV channel, with programmes, films and documentaries, promoting the culture and creativity of this amazing city. All programmes to be made by Bristolians and residents of Bristol, get the schools and academies involved. Celebrate Bristol and make sure the channel has an hourly "Good News" bulletin as well.”
by Batdad
Saturday, May 19 2012, 10:15PM
“Any man who wears red trousers with a black jacket is unfit for office. Besides, he's got a smug face, and look at all the books he's chosen to be photographed next to - doesn't it just say to you, 'check me out, you chirpy little proles, I'm happy to give up my time to run your lives, because let's face it, I'm smarter and more successful than you, even if I do like to think of myself as edgy and cosmic'.
I still say one of the pygmy hippos from BZG should stand.”
by DM_Fishponds
Saturday, May 19 2012, 6:59PM
“@KBillies – "A quality candidate who could just be the man for thee job"
Be careful Mr Ferguson, withdrawing your membership from the Liberal Democrat party will not be enough to avoid the LibDem stigma if KBillies is supporting you.
KBillies would vote for anything wearing a yellow rosette. Now it seems that he would vote for you. Ergo; if you're good enough for KBillies you must still be a LibDem.
If you are no longer a LibDem you need to discourage KBillies' Judas-like kiss of endorsement otherwise no-one else will vote for you!”
by Jab_the_cab
Saturday, May 19 2012, 6:32PM
“Of that list in the betting only Banksy appeals.
Ferguson will not get in unless he stands four-square with Bristol City on their Stadium plans.”
by green_man
Saturday, May 19 2012, 5:16PM
“George Ferguson is a pretty canny operator. He does have a decent chance of becoming the first Mayor of Bristol, though I dont see how the odds make much sense at this very early stage. Arguably he already has a national standing which no other candidate currently in the picture can equal.
It will be interesting to see the policies George and his team come up with - and what the Lib Dem position on selecting a candidate is. Other independent candidates may emerge and the Greens may put someone up too.”
by KBillies
Saturday, May 19 2012, 2:18PM
“A quality candidate who could just be the man for thee job”