Mayor Election 2016 / News
Rees wants Bristol bid for capital of culture
Marvin Rees will launch a bid for Bristol to become the European Capital of Culture if elected as the city’s mayor in May.
The Labour candidate announced his plans at a rally at the Colston Hall for Jeremy Corbyn supporters on Tuesday evening.
“Bristol has a tremendous wealth of talent and creativity that deserves to be showcased to the world,” he told the crowd before Billy Bragg and comedian Jeremy Hardy took to the stage.
“I want culture – and sport – to be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. I want culture to reach out and overcome Bristol’s social and economic divides.
“With this in mind, I am proud this evening to announce my ambition to lead a bid for Bristol to become the European Capital of Culture.”
Bristol would need to apply to the European Union to get the title. The next time it is due to come to a British city is in 2023. Dundee and Milton Keynes have already expressed an interest in bidding.
Liverpool had the title in 2008, defeating a bid five other cities including Bristol. One of the reasons Bristol was turned down was the impact of the M32 on dividing communities.
If Bristol was succesful in its bid, Rees would have to wait until a potential second term in office to see the title finally arrive.
Read more: Keep up to date on Bristol mayor election news here.
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