Bob Piper has been a Labour Councillor for the Abbey
Ward in Sandwell, West Midlands, for 10 years. He is a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa Football Club and a follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The views expressed here are mine in a personal capacity, not those of the Labour Party, Sandwell MBC, Aston Villa or Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Get it! Mine... just mine!
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
As I have repeatedly stated on this blog, I am opposed to the notion of elected City Mayors. The Labour Government is in favour of them, and David Cameron has announced that if he is elected he will force our bigger local authorities to hold a referendum on whether or not they want a Mayoral election. Mike Whitby, the Conservative Leader of Birmingham City Council, our biggest local authority, has also nailed his colours to the mast, and he is also opposed.
So, there we are. That's clear. Gordon Brown and David Cameron are in favour, Mike and myself are opposed.
But some of Mike Whitby's spineless backbenchers in Birmingham are too frightened to say what their opinions are. Yesterday, the Labour opposition in Birmingham moved a resolution calling for a referendum to decide whether to have a City Mayor, or a Leader and Cabinet model, and calling for a named vote. What should the Tories do? Vote to support their Party Leader in Westminster? Support their Leader on the City Council?
I'll admit to being ambivalent on this issue. For example, where I live we elect the mayor and we ended up with a grade one bell end in charge. However, I'm pretty sure we'd have a grade one bell end in charge no matter what system was used. The local gene pool is pretty shallow.
Gary Elsby said:
December 2, 2009 6:50 PM | permalink
But you are stuck with a Mayor for five years, and only stuck with a Leader if everyone agrees.
December 2, 2009 10:51 AM | permalink
I'll admit to being ambivalent on this issue. For example, where I live we elect the mayor and we ended up with a grade one bell end in charge. However, I'm pretty sure we'd have a grade one bell end in charge no matter what system was used. The local gene pool is pretty shallow.