News / Politics
Bristol wins right to scrap elected mayor
People in Bristol will now have the right to scrap the position of elected mayor thanks to the recent passing of a bill which will lift the restrictions on holding another referendum.
In an amendment to the Devolution Bill, tabled by former leader of Bristol City Council Barbara Janke, Bristol voters have regained their right to decide on the local system of governance thanks to majority agreements in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Three years ago Bristol was the only city to vote for a mayor model in a string of referendums held under the Localism Act, but by voting yes, the city also gave up its right to make future changes.
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Baroness Janke said Bristol was “deceived” by the previous government, which reneged on promises of new powers to cities that chose to have an elected mayor.
Every other city and town in England already had the power to change its system of local governance, with Bristol being the only exception up until now.
A referendum is still restricted by a 10-year moratorium however, so the earliest the next one could be held is 2022 – 10 years from the city’s first mayoral referendum.
Current elected mayor George Ferguson said: “It’s on the record that I supported this move even though I know that Bristol has benefited hugely from having a directly elected Mayor.”
“However, I am very much in support of anything that strengthens the democratic process and feel that it is right that we can debate this issue again in the future.”
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