News / Bristol Mayoral Elections 2021
Bristol Lib Dems name candidate for role they want to scrap
Dr Caroline Gooch may be in the running to become Bristol’s next mayor, but she leaves no room for doubt regarding her thoughts on the role.
Continuing the Lib Dem’s campaign to abolish the position, the medical science consultant will stand on a platform of scrapping the mayoral system, saying it is unnecessary and wields too much power.
Gooch is the third candidate to be announced ahead of the postponed elections, which are due (for now) to take place on May 6. She takes the place of Mary Page, who announced she was standing down from running in November due to “personal reasons”.
is needed now More than ever
The Lib Dem will stand against Labour incumbent Marvin Rees and Green hopeful Sandy Hore-Ruthven.
Dr Caroline Gooch says abolishing the “spare mayor” would be a huge step forward for democracy – photo courtesy of Bristol Lib Dems
Announcing her candidacy, Gooch said: “I’m very pleased to take on the Liberal Democrat candidacy for Bristol mayor. Abolishing the ‘spare mayor’ would be a huge step forward for democracy.
“The role is not needed now that we have the WECA metro mayor, and the Bristol mayor’s only role appears to be to exert his own wishes above those of our councillors. The role carries too much power and renders the views of hardworking councillors, representing their constituents across the city, totally mute.
“The profligacy of the office of mayor is costing Bristol council tax payers far too much money – money which is desperately needed elsewhere.”
Gooch, who works as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, was running as a Lib Dem candidate for the Westbury and Henleaze ward in May’s Bristol City Council elections, according to her Twitter profile, but has now switched her focus to the role she wants to scrap.
She says she is passionate about ethical business practices and “having full, open and frank conversations with doctors about medicines”.
Welcoming the news, Lib Dem council group leader and Knowle councillor Gary Hopkins also focused on the mission to abolish the mayoral role, praising Gooch’s “spirit of openness and integrity” in campaigning on this platform.
He added: “Caroline is also passionate about tackling the housing crisis with more council house building, and supports reform of our medieval feudal leasehold laws.”
Former MP and current Lib Dem WECA mayoral candidate Stephen Williams said: “I’ve worked with Caroline for a few years and know Caroline is committed to holding a public vote on abolishing the mayoral system.
“Her platform covers essential and pressing issues, including green energy and transport, integration of health and social care, and an education system that works for all.”
Read more: Bristol mayor: ‘We want local elections to go ahead in May’
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