Rees: ‘The political conversation now in the city is about inclusion – and that’s special’

Marvin Rees admits that he used to be very cynical about politics. “But one day I just thought my cynicism isn’t making anything happen for anyone,” he says.

And, while his political opponents may disagree, Bristol’s mayor argues that this is exactly what he is doing – getting things done.

Sitting at a table in the cafe of Easton Community Centre, sipping a cup of tea and greeting the odd person as they pass by, Rees is relaxed and engaging as he reflects on his journey to office and all that has unfolded during the first half of his inaugural mayoral term.

It is almost exactly two years since the 46-year-old former NHS manager and journalist, who grew up in Easton, swept to victory, ousting incumbent George Ferguson to become Europe’s first black mayor with a mandate for a new era of inclusive politics.

Since then, the dream of a cross-party, ‘rainbow’ cabinet has been shattered and much of his term has been overshadowed by biting austerity cuts, but Rees insists that while there may be some negativity, that is far from the whole story.

“The political conversation now in the city is how we do inclusion, and that’s special,” he tells Bristol24/7. “It’s a cultural attitude. I’m not saying we’ve gone across the line and sorted it out but there is an intelligence, a normalcy about it now that wasn’t there before to be frank.

“There are those large questions about Bristol. The big physical development of the place, but what is also special are the personal interactions, like coming in here,” he says, gesturing around the large, bright interior of the community centre.

“Seeing people you know, it’s all those things that are not high profile, but are just very special to be able to share.”

The father of three says he is proud to have delivered in providing homes – he pledged to build 2,000 new homes by 2020 and that looks set to be exceeded – protecting all of Bristol’s children’s centres and introducing a new, open culture of collaboration across the city.

But there is no denying, the cuts have hit hard, with front line services including parks, public toilets, school crossing patrols affected as the council struggles to plug a £108m budget gap by 2023.

Campaigners of all ages took to the streets to campaign against proposed cuts to school crossing patrols

“It’s Government cuts,” says Rees. “I do not support austerity, I think it’s a false economy. I’m absolutely aware that cuts cost, but we have a job to do.

“Look, I grew up poor and I have got to point out the injustice of the situation I am in, but we also have to find a way of eating.”

He mentions the Bundred Review – published in his first year of office – that identified a £30m hole in the budget and an organisational culture that was hierarchical and bullying.

“This is an objective review of what we inherited,” the mayor continues, crediting Craig Cheney, one of his two deputy mayors, for his work on finances and getting Bristol in a position to attract investment.

“I’m not putting a gloss on the cuts, I do not support cuts, but we have to have a financially competent local authority, because the price of incompetence would be greater than the cost of the cuts.”

The ‘Western Harbour’ is being marketed as a major investment opportunity

Despite the cuts that have dominated headlines, Rees insists things are happening, listing the proposed development of the Cumberland Basin, a second feasibility study for a mass transit system, securing the future of the Colston Hall and work on the Hengrove Park development.

And the long-awaited and highly debated Bristol Arena?

“The arena is a good news story,” says Rees. “We have viable alternatives, but we are doing the work that should have been done five years ago.”

On why he abruptly called an end to the cross-party cabinet during his second year of office, the mayor says: “The individual members of the cabinet were great, but the offer was to the parties, not the individual members and there is only so much you can hold your hand out while people keep chewing fingers off.

“It’s about being honourable and clearly you can make criticism, but it needs to be based on integrity rather than just getting in the papers and, in my judgement, there was too much gunning to get headlines in the paper.”

He adds that the council still operates in an inclusive manner through its collaboration with other major institutions, organisations and charities in Bristol.

Addressing accusations that he is failing to get things done, Rees takes the opportunity to lay into his foes: “My political opponents have been in the council for years between them. What did they do?

“We have been here for two years, we picked up an organisation with a £30m hole. They were all elected when that was going on so why did they not do anything about it?

“We are a competent organisation now. That is quite a major delivery in two years. It’s not one that people would say is exciting, but it’s an important one.”

He says that he would love for non-Labour councillors to take him up on the offer to come and say what they need to get things done, adding that the rest of the city has done so and suggesting that maybe his political opponents are getting left behind.

Rees has also drawn criticism from campaigners for “aggressively pushing a high rise agenda”.

Responding to concerns, he says: “Where appropriate we can have some tall buildings in Bristol. I can understand that people think we are going to build a lot of tower blocks like where I grew up, but that’s not the intention.

“It’s not just about making the building, it’s about how your use it. We have been explicit about not focusing people with high needs all together in one place.”

He adds: “In the right place, I think tall buildings are aspirational.”

An early plan for Redcliff Quarter – following Rees’ desire to build up

Halfway through his term in office, there are no surprises as to what the focus for the next two years will be, with the arena and MetroBus featuring prominently, along with more housing and pushing Bristol’s international presence, because “we can’t leave the future of the city economy in the hands of government”.

“We’ll continue to drive those things that are very important to us. Economic inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, making Bristol a safe city and the Channel Four bid. That’s huge for us and we’ll know the decision in October.”

The mayor has already confirmed that he intends to run again for a job that he says he loves, despite the criticism levelled at him. So is he feeling optimistic for the next two years?

“I’m feeling positive,” he says, choosing his words carefully. “I’m a person of hope, I would not call myself an optimist. Hope deals with the reality of life – there are bumps in the road, but there is hope as well.

“Austerity is going to continue, Brexit is going to continue, but we are about getting things done and I think people know that.”

Rees outside Easton Community Centre

Critics have accused Rees of pushing ‘vanity projects’, such as the ambitious plans for a Bristol underground, but the mayor says he hopes his lasting legacy will be that he built homes for people, adding: “housing is not just bricks and mortar it’s one of the most significant policy tools we have.”

Calling goodbye to a few people, he heads out into the May sunshine, pausing for a photo after striking a wide-legged pose as a comical send up of the Tory ‘power stance’ that has recently been a point of keen discussion in the media.

With a wave, Rees returns to City Hall. The mayor may have a lot to prove in two years, but he is certainly relishing the challenge.

Read more: Rees: ‘We have the opportunity to be much more ambitious’