TWO ELECTED MAYORS, FOR TWO REFERENDUM VOTES

As a voice with our group of ‘Yes’ supporters for a directly elected mayor campaign in Plymouth from 2000 to 2002, it is no surprise I’m still in favour of this option to change the dynamics in local decision-making. But for it to happen we have to make sure local voters are brought along with the journey.

Well… we have two transformational plans for directly elected mayors being driven by some parts of the Plymouth and South West business community.

The first is a campaign for a directly elected mayor in Plymouth, fronted by businessman Angus Forbes, looking to collect 10,000 signatures to trigger a local referendum campaign in 2026, so Plymothians can decide if they want a leader selected by councillors (only) or an elected mayor voted by the people.

Back in January 2002, we led a fight to change the way the city was being run and triggered a referendum campaign where 59% voted no, and 41% voted yes. At the time, Plymouth’s turnout of 39% was quite high, and the Labour/Conservative Parties campaigned together for a no vote.

All the same, our yes vote did pretty well, and we shocked the local establishment.

The second is another regional layer of bureaucracy with plans for a directly elected mayor that will swallow up vast chunks of the South West in these new devolution plans. You can see much planning has been done behind closed doors to warm up public opinion for this potential regional monolith.

While I understand the business logic that could support coordinated business investment and transport planning, etc., we surely must have a regional referendum also, so the people can decide—and not leave it for a few politicians and business voices to decide this monumental change in how we are being governed locally.