‘Ferguson’s reign has been undemocratic’

I love Bristol. I really do. It’s my city and I’m proud to be part of it. The music, food, art, people, politics and protest, culture, clubs and the fantastic events. Bristol has been at the forefront for a long time.

In Bristol, there is a sense that we do things another way. We certainly don’t just take things lying down and be steamrollered into conformity. Bristol is loud and proud.

I first met George Ferguson as mayor for Bristol back in 2013, which now seems an age ago. Much has happened and changed in Bristol since then, and in politics more broadly speaking.

George promised Bristol a new era of politics. “Put Bristol first” he said. Would electing him bring Bristol radical change?

The choice it seemed was simple: vote for someone from a political party which according to him took their orders from London or vote for him, an independent.

A number of people with a growing sense of weariness in party politics perhaps put their faith in someone who didn’t have such connections.

When I heard that Bristol City Council and the mayor were to introduce residents’ parking zones (RPZs) throughout the city (on our streets may I add), I found it abhorrent that with little to no real consultation with residents, these would be brought in.

In short, that day when I first met George back in May 2013 I questioned him publicly to how the imposition of RPZs would affect democracy in Bristol.

He told me: “I know all about democracy.” I asked him directly and politely, after which he told me that “I have decided”, “I am the mayor” and that “I have no time to talk to you now, or ever.”

Someone asked me that day if I was recording this, which I don’t normally do, so I turned on my phone camera and began questioning him again.

I asked him how democracy would be affected if these RPZs would be brought in without proper consultation with residents.

He told me again: “I know all about democracy. Now fuck off, okay?”

He even finished off his tirade on BBC Radio Bristol, telling them that I was a “stalker” (unfounded, derogatory and defamatory by the way).

This was my first brush with George’s personal arrogance and arrogant approach to city leadership. Many other individuals received similar responses and insults in the following years.

Ferguson and Bristol City Council’s authoritarian approach regarding RPZs has led to thousands of Bristolians signing petitions and got them actively involved against the impending RPZs.

Following the election of Jeremy Corbyn by a landslide majority as Labour Party leader, there has come a call to change the way politics is conducted.

It shouldn’t be something that is done away from us in the corridors of power – but right here in our streets, neighbourhoods, workplaces and homes.

The decisions that directly affects our lives should be made by us – all of us.

Here in Bristol we need someone who inspires others to get involved and have their say. We need someone who empowers others.

This is a sign of a true leader: someone who creates more leaders. A truly democratic city where people are directly involved.

Having often attended council meetings over the last few years on various topics and campaigns, I have noticed the people who often sit next to or behind Ferguson. Unelected, unaccountable and highly-paid service directors who make big decisions for Bristol, and on our behalf, and face little public scrutiny.

For what I’ve seen in this time, I’ve seen the little democracy we do have ripped to shreds.

Councillors who work hard to represent their constituents’ views and opinions have been largely silenced and sidelined by the all-powerful mayoral machine.  

Ferguson before his election promised us that he would “devolve powers and decision making to local communities”. I’ve not seen this. If anything, I’ve seen less of it – and more power concentrated at the top. 

Before the election he pledged he would be against the Metrobus. Once elected, he went along with the ride (pun intended) and became very supportive of it indeed.

Stapleton Allotments, which had/has some of the most fertile growing soil in the country and furthermore in Europe, has now faced the tarmac treatment, to make way for the Metrobus. All this in Bristol’s European Green Capital year.

This is an example, in my opinion, of what the Green Capital award has been all about. It’s about image. It’s about PR. Ultimately, it’s making things seem green.

Scratch the surface and you find a very different Bristol indeed. We have seen homelessness skyrocket and frontline essential services cut back to the bone, while money is ploughed into other projects. Just whose Bristol is this these days?

I want to see a mayor who says what they mean and means what they say.

What George has brought Bristol in his three years at the helm have not been all bad. But if he has been successful in one thing in Bristol, it’s that he made ordinary Bristolians from across the city stand up and speak out for what they believe in.

Other than that, it’ll largely be remembered as a reign of undemocratic self-interest by someone who just failed to listen. It’s time for politics of compassion, fairness and putting people first.

There isn’t long before the election now early next year. One thing is for sure – Ferguson’s performance as mayor could provoke a much higher turnout than before.

Artist and campaigner, ice cream seller and chai wallah, Paul Saville will be standing as an independent candidate in next May’s mayoral election.