'I'll save £3m in one year if elected mayor' - George Ferguson
ARCHITECT George Ferguson has promised to save Bristol's taxpayers at least £3 million if he is chosen as the city's first elected mayor.
Mr Ferguson, who would stand as an independent candidate, said he wanted to make this promise "in answer to the baseless and misleading claims about cost from the anti brigade".
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George Ferguson
'No' campaigners have claimed that the office of elected mayor would cost at least £1 million to run and create a drain on civic resources at a time when the city council is making the biggest cuts in its history.
Mr Ferguson, pictured, the first high-profile candidate to put his name forward for the contest if a city-wide referendum on Friday decides in favour of an elected mayor, said: "I shall, through a combination of effective resource management and entrepreneurial activity, save Bristol's administration at least £3million in the first term of office."
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He made a second promise that he would rise above "petty party politics which have for so long held us back from realising our full potential".
Mr Ferguson added: "On top of this it is quite clear from my conversations with the City Minister Greg Clark, who I have met three times in the last month in both Bristol and London, that I shall obtain further resources and powers for Bristol and sit with those other cities in the 'cabinet of mayors'.
"If we are not represented there we shall undoubtedly be left behind in that race for resources and influence."
Labour activist Marvin Rees, 40, yesterday declared his intention to seek his party's nomination if there is a 'yes' vote in the referendum.
Mr Rees, a programme manager who lives with his family in Easton, failed to be selected as the Labour candidate to fight Bristol West at the last general election.
Craig Clarke, who led the storming of a hearing at Bristol County Court to evict Occupy protesters from College Green, declared his intention to stand as a candidate in January.
Other possible contenders include Tory leader Peter Abraham, Bristol West Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams, former Lib Dem Councillor Abdul Malik and former Labour Councillor Kelvin Blake.
Comments
by Charlespk
Saturday, August 25 2012, 10:43AM
“If you're going to choose a Liberal, best choose this one. . He's the least tainted by party politics.”
by artglad
Thursday, May 10 2012, 1:43PM
“Fergusion certainly can not be described as independent , he has a finger in many pies.
Ferguson was the first Liberal councillor to be elected to Bristol City Council in the 1970s and he stood unsuccessfully for the Liberals in the 1983 and 1987 General Elections.”
by Mikey_Blake
Thursday, May 10 2012, 1:22PM
“George Ferguson is going to be far away the best Mayor for Bristol, by a huge margin.
Please support him here - http://tinyurl.com/84tqsbs”
by Stagnate
Thursday, May 10 2012, 9:17AM
“'Other possible contenders include Tory leader Peter Abraham, Bristol West Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams, former Lib Dem Councillor Abdul Malik and former Labour Councillor Kelvin Blake.'
More of the same party politics, tantrums and squabbling, if any of those affiliated to political parties are elected.
If Bristol wants a Mayor vote for an independent .......”
by shaun1964
Wednesday, May 09 2012, 4:10PM
“about time the council stopped allowning its employees taking bristol city council vehicles home each day.save a lot on petrol and diesel because they are used for personal trips when not at work. just saying .”
by DM_Fishponds
Monday, May 07 2012, 11:13PM
“It's a wonder that the LibDems encourage @KBillies to lobby for them.
His enthusiastic words of support for various LibDems are the kiss of death.
They would be better asking him to keep quiet.”
by Banjo9
Monday, May 07 2012, 10:31PM
“" Save some more money George" Cut the gay parade budget !
If they want to parade fine "Self Fund " do not use tax Payers money. BUT if you do then ..."St Georges Day ought to be funded"
Fair is Fair in a City which promotes Equality ! Equality for ALL.”
by KBillies
Monday, May 07 2012, 7:54PM
“An exciting candidate and a man who has committed himself to the City selflessly and committed way.”
by 321stan
Monday, May 07 2012, 2:53PM
“So he vows to save £3 million " through a combination of effective resource management and entrepreneurial activity"
Sounds just like political talk & i expect when he doesn't deliver, he won't be held accountable & put the blame on anyone & everyone else bar himself.
Pretty much the same way as politicians play the blame game, . . . yawn!
He certainly wouldn't get my vote!”
by emessar
Monday, May 07 2012, 12:05PM
“I would back George. One way of saving £3m is of course using the £10m bribe (whoops incentive) that david Cameron promised to cities which voted for a Mayor. Lets see whether we get that or whether the Government wriggle out of that. They wriggled out of paying for the election leaflets so don't hold our breath I think
Saving £3m can be done fairly easily by cutting the waste, but not at the expense of the average working person. Cut the high management levels but keep the middle levels downwards please, Efficiency can be met without slashing budgets left right and centre which is what our Governemt is so fond of doing”