Why mayoral candidates must speak up now
BRISTOL businessman Abdul Malik has thrown his hat into the ring to become the city's first elected mayor.
The former Liberal Democrat councillor said he would like to be a candidate if next week's referendum is in favour of a figurehead to run the city.
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Abdul Malik
Mr Malik, 38, who was born and bred in Easton, told the Post he was convinced that an elected mayor was a golden opportunity for the city to achieve its aspirations.
But he believes that it has to be the right person who understands how local government works as well as a knowledge of business and the economy.
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He said: "A lot of people are very confused how an elected mayor would differ from the existing Lord Mayor and my worry is that this uncertainty might put people off from voting and a golden opportunity will be lost to really take the city forward.
"Some people have advised me not to speak out until we know the outcome of the referendum but I think that view is wrong.
"We need candidates to put their names forward now – before the referendum in order to bring the debate alive and show people how important this post would be for Bristol's future."
Mr Malik was a ward councillor for Easton from 2005 until 2009 and during that time, he saw how party politics prevented sensible decisions being taken for the sake of the city.
He said: "It was incredibly frustrating to see decisions not being taken – which you knew to be right – because of the politics which was always going on.
"There was a fear of taking decisions in case it gave an opportunity to the other political parties to score political points.
"I think an elected mayor would rise above all of that and take decisions which best served Bristol."
He was particularly upset when he failed to be chosen as Lord Mayor after his name was put forward by his party.
He said: "It was not so much about being Lord Mayor for myself but what it could have done for the city in terms of building bridges with all the multi-ethnic communities."
An elected mayor would have the power to make decisions in running the city while the Lord Mayor is a non-political and neutral figurehead who represents the city at ceremonial events and chairs full council meetings.
Mr Malik, who is married with four children and still lives in Easton, started his halal butchery business with a loan of £15,000 and now has a chain of six shops.
He said: "I do have sympathy with the business community and understand that in these days of recession, we have to adapt and make changes."
Mr Malik said he would seek the nomination to stand as the Lib Dem candidate but if he failed to be selected, he would consider standing as an independent.
Architect George Ferguson has already signalled his intention to stand as an independent candidate if the referendum produces a Yes vote. 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 in January.
Other possible candidates include Tory leader Peter Abraham, Bristol West Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams, former Labour city councillor Kelvin Blake, and Marvin Rees who failed to be selected as the Labour candidate to fight Bristol West at the last general election.
Comments
by mrdogwalker
Tuesday, May 01 2012, 8:17PM
“It's Mr Dogwhatever to you, sonny”
by KBillies
Sunday, April 29 2012, 4:06PM
“DM Fishponds.
Why do you refer to me as Ben?
Anyway my friend you and Dogwhatever rise to the bait big time”
by Mrs_W2009
Sunday, April 29 2012, 4:01PM
“Are there really that many people who would get an elected mayor confused with the Lord Mayor? The Lord Mayor is a largely pointless ceremonial position. With a bit of luck an elected mayor would actually do something.”
by DM_Fishponds
Sunday, April 29 2012, 3:52PM
“Hi Ben,
I am with my family, we are all laughing at your comments and the high volume of red ratings that you continue to receive.
By your own standards: What are you doing online on a Sunday Afternoon? Have you no real friends?”
by KBillies
Sunday, April 29 2012, 3:43PM
“DM Fishponds you are a bore.
Spend more time with your family and less on here pal its Sunday afternoon pal.”
by DM_Fishponds
Sunday, April 29 2012, 3:22PM
“@Purple Glasses – "When you write things down properly then we can all understand what you are saying.
Most people on this website have no problem grasping the meaning of my comments. However I am always happy to explain myself to someone who finds it difficult to understand big words or concepts, or to clarify my statements to someone who is being deliberately obtuse.
Please continue to ask if you do not understand anything else that I write.”
by DM_Fishponds
Sunday, April 29 2012, 1:42PM
“Purple - "In political terms we have a minority Lib Dem council but in general terms they are a majority becuase one or two others will always support good ideas."
In political terms AND general terms we have minority Lib Dem council BECAUSE others will always support good ideas.
The LibDems have proved by their actions to have bad ideas and then ignore the public's opinions because the LibDems think that they-know-best and have to fight what they refer to as "the tyranny of the majority".
(Ref: "J S Mill, On Liberty" or http://tinyurl.com/ywbnvc).
You will see from JSM's work that this is the Liberals' mantra, "We know best, and there's nothing you can do about it until the next election, by which time it'll be too late!" Which describes Bristol City Council's current administration quite nicely!”
by Charlespk
Sunday, April 29 2012, 1:27PM
“What have you ever done for Bristol except Waffle PurpleGlasses?
You aren't even half smart enough to start trying to mock anyone. So it's best not to start.”
by PurpleGlasses
Sunday, April 29 2012, 1:02PM
“Much better from DM_Fishponds. When you write things down properly then we can all understand what you are saying. In political terms we have a minority Lib Dem council but in general terms they are a majority becuase one or two others will always support good ideas. The Conservatives have good ideas and support the Lib Dems along with Labour and the Green Party.
Hello Charlespk, hello, is there anyone in? The world has changed our 1920's and factories are now in China and India along with the rest of Asia and South America especially Brazil. You must rename yourself as the typing ghost. Leave the politics to politicians and trot off to Wetherspoon's, there's a good chap.”
by Charlespk
Sunday, April 29 2012, 11:42AM
“I find myself almost agreeing with Rosset. (maybe it's just too early). It would be a a tragedy if we get stuck with a politicised Mayor of either party. . What we need is someone who will get rid of all the 'political correctness' and the politics of envy, and start a bit of 'Trickle Down' again. . Throughout our history successful Merchants and Capitalists have brought prosperity to the city.
Capitalists don't carry their success around in money bags. . They build factories and employ people. . . That is their wealth!”