'Question Time' debate on Bristol mayor takes place tonight
People in Bristol have a chance to find out more about what it might mean if the city gets an elected Mayor in a 'Question Time'-style event tonight.
In May, Bristolians will be asked to vote in a local referendum for or against the idea of an elected Mayor.
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Replacing the present Councillors and Cabinet system in Bristol City Council with a directly elected Mayor would be the biggest upheaval to local democracy since the dissolution of Avon County Council.
Tonight's event at the Council House on College Green will be hosted by Bristol-based broadcaster Chris Serle and four panellists including:
• Mark Weston, Conservative councillor for Henbury and Deputy Leader of the Bristol Conservative Party
• George Ferguson CBE, owner and founder of Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatre, and Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects
• Deborah Hallett, strategy consultant and recent adviser to the London Development Agency
• Barbara Janke, Liberal Democrat leader of Bristol City Council
Like Question Time, the event will also feature an interactive voting system to provide real time feedback from the audience.
Event organiser Dame Comerford, from the University of Bristol's Centre for Public Engagement, said that while the event is not a formal consultation, it was a great opportunity for people to express their feelings for or against an elected mayoral.
"I think it's exciting that Bristol is getting a chance to vote on this issue – unlike in Liverpool where a mayor was elected without a public referendum.
"We're hoping to illustrate a clearer picture of what a mayor for Bristol might look like," he added.
"Obviously people are proud of Bristol and whatever system is in place they want it to work well."
Entry to tonight's event, which starts at 7pm, is free but places must be pre-booked in advance. To book a place visit bristolmayordebate.eventbrite.co.uk. For further information or to submit a question, please email Amanda Edmondson cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk or call 0117 33 18313. Please submit questions together with your full name, email address, telephone number and home postcode.
13 Comments
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by StrawHatty
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 11:42PM
“It was exceptionally well reported on Twitter by Bristol 24/7 Where was the BEP? Was it past their bedtimes?
We need an elected mayor, but we need it not to be a Merchant Venturer. Bristol needs real change, not secrets and lies.”
by bobob3
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 6:39PM
“shame Ian Bone moved away, he would make a great mayor!”
by clv101
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 6:11PM
“"Pogo's Popular Policy Proletariatinator" Sounds like mob rule. Sad thing is 'popularist' positions are often ill thought out, short term in nature, selfish and highly discriminatory against minorities. Mob rule is not something to aspire to!”
by Bristol1978
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 4:17PM
“Oh dear Nedge, looks like Babs and Tim have seen your manifesto :-(”
by smoosername
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 3:26PM
“Not sure there is a brand of mayonnaise called Nedge....”
by smoosername
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 3:24PM
“Nedge123 for mayo! Vote for common sense! Vote Nedge!”
by Nedge123
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 3:07PM
“Waste of time, money and effort.
Next.”
by Pogo_T_Clown
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 2:51PM
“What's your stance on the Bristol Pound? Concerned citizens want to know.”
by Nedge123
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 2:39PM
“Right, listen in. I am thinking of standing for Mayor of Bristol, but, I want to know what you all think of my policies.
I, if elected, will sack Tim Kent and his cronies for the *******isation of the city's road network:
I will NOT double the toll for the suspension bridge, BUT, I will charge cyclists for using it, at 50% of the rate for cars:
I will remove bus lanes, no left turns, in fact, ALL of the stupid congestion mongering schemes that the current bunch of half-wits have forced upon us, including all the advanced cycle stop things, and cycle lanes, cheap return fares will be available ALL of the time, and First Bus will be told to wind it's neck in:
I will ensure that cyclists who flout the law will be punished accordingly, and I will campaign vigorously for all cyclists to be insured and have to display a registration plate,
All unnecessary traffic lights will be removed:
I will ask the fire brigade to get rid of any staff who don't contribute anything to getting a fire engine out, ie, Equalities and Fairness, HR, etc, and save a fortune:
Same goes for the police:
I will LISTEN to what the good folk of Bristol have to say, rather than ignoring them - after all,
I will be working for YOU, not for what I can get out of the system:
Stokes Croft and the like will be cleaned up once and for all:
There will be a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour:
Vulnerable people, ie, the elderly, will be looked after, and not have the care budget cut - the withdrawing of funding for politically correct groups will pay for that. And lots more.
And that's just for starters. Please let me know what you think, and, if the reponse is positive, I will stand for Mayor.
Vote for Nedge123 - you KNOW it makes sense.”
by FishpondsMan
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 1:39PM
“At least George Ferguson has lived in the 'real' world where a business stands on its on feet. What we don't need is more and more ex public sector people who are used to spending other peoples money, having zero accountability, zero responsibility, guaranteed performance bonuses (only in the public sector could you get a guaranteed performance bonus, in the real world its called performance related pay)
Barbara Janke for mayor that really is laughable.”