Historic mayor vote 'could change political map' in Bristol
BRISTOL’S political map might dramatically change today if people decide in favour an elected mayor – but only one in three voters were expected to have voted.
Rainy weather and the absence of local elections conspired to produce a low turnout at the citywide referendum.
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The Polling Station at Kingsdown Sports Centre
At Kingsdown Sports Centre yesterday which was used as one of seven polling stations in Cabot ward, only 28 voters turned up during a one-hour mid-morning period.
But voting is usually slow during the mornings on polling day and traditionally there is a surge in the evening as people take time out to vote on their way home from work and after their evening meal.
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Only a total of 113 voters had turned out by midday which represents about 5.5 per cent of the electorate in the ward.
If this figure is extrapolated across the ward, then the turnout would be about 38 per cent – just over one in three voters. At the last local elections in Bristol in 2011, the turnout in Cabot ward was 34 per cent and citywide, 41 per cent. The turnout at the last mayoral elections in London in 2008 was 44 per cent.
Publisher Matt Nicholson, 58, who voted no, said: “I’m just happy with the way things are run at the moment.”
Another no voter was Brian Rodbourn, a retired insurance office manager who said: “I’m not happy about this at all. I just don’t think we were given enough information about the powers that an elected mayor would have.”
Yes campaigners have argued that an elected mayor would give more power to one person who was directly responsible to voters instead of a council leader who was chosen by a small group of councillors.
Voting ended at 10pm last night and the ballot boxes from all over the city were taken to Ashton Gate for today’s count which was starting at 10am.
First, the voting papers were being verified before the count in earnest could start. Postal votes have already been verified and only need counting. The council has received more than 24,000 postal votes which represents nearly 60 per cent of the postal vote turnout.
Postal votes were requested by about 12 per cent of the 320,000 voters in the city. The result was expected sometime this afternoon.
Council staff had to break into a polling station in Dundridge Road, St George, yesterday because they had the wrong keys. But the temporary cabin was open and ready for voters before the official start time of 7am.
Mayoral referendums were held in ten cities including Bristol. The others were: Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.
If Bristol’s referendum decides in favour of an elected mayor, elections will be held on November 15.
Comments
by PJ1979
Friday, May 04 2012, 2:05PM
“Voters in Bristol have voted 'yes' to David Cameron's plans to replace local council cabinets with directly elected mayors.
About 41,032 voted in favour compared with 35,880 against.”
by PJ1979
Friday, May 04 2012, 2:03PM
“"Its been called:
Yes vote 41,000 No vote 38,000
The outcome is a Mayor for Bristol"”
by jamie1984
Friday, May 04 2012, 1:48PM
“nljack we not the last we with the majority as only 4 cities of the 10 who have mayor referedum votes have decided so far.
The other 6 (which includes Bristol) still to come”
by jamie1984
Friday, May 04 2012, 1:45PM
“The Bristol result due within the hour but the 'Yes' is 4000 ahead.
BBC Points West reporter has an 'advanced' method (counting piles for and against) of deciding how it swayed (prior to official confirmation)
Vote count low and of course Councillors with agendas that are pro NO going to be happy with that but perhaps that is because nothing was sent out particular the 12 page leaflet and the council position that majority ruled by a party that against change so it not be in the interests of them blame Royal Mail.
However they may not laughing if the BBC reporter right at the end”
by georges1974
Friday, May 04 2012, 1:41PM
“Points West just said it is looking like we get a mayor!
Bristol I love you lots, more then Jelly Tots!
And seeing as we might be the one city that did this the government will probably chuck money at us to prove it works...... HAPPY DAYS!!!!”
by tjb378
Friday, May 04 2012, 11:01AM
“@Joke_Bristol
I think you may be right, plus you now here, well postal votes were counted yesterday, the rest today at was supposed to start at 10am, with extra hands on board to do the counting, just for what turns out to be a hand full of votes, and the result will now be announced somewhere between 1:30pm to 2pm, so must be a recount going on, then probably another one, well they have to get there moneys worth.
Right am off, off to get my coat, venture outside and try and get some sanity back into my life, or maybe just throw myself in front of a bus, well that's if it turns up on time or can be bothered to turn up at all.”
by nljack
Friday, May 04 2012, 10:50AM
“Why is it taking Bristol so long to count, have they used the benefit system to recruit people to count papers !!! Manchester's was counted last night and they are a bigger city.
Why are we always last.”
by Joke_Bristol
Friday, May 04 2012, 10:41AM
“@tjb378
The lack of information is genuinely disgusting. Did anyone in Bristol receive this fabled 12 page pamphlet? I don't know anyone who did.
Some councillors on Twitter at the moment seemingly pleased that so few people voted, as if they're glad that they have failed to engage the public in an important debate. It smack of fraud and gerrymandering.”
by tjb378
Friday, May 04 2012, 10:28AM
“PS..........
The Ministry of Silly Walks comes to mind.”
by georges1974
Friday, May 04 2012, 10:25AM
“@nickthompson
I would prefer to read the News of the World rather then picking up the Mail and that says enough.”