The Big Brum Debate

[BABYCAKES]

Originally Posted by Qoasis777

It's not another layer of beaurocracy, the mayor will replace the council leader who, at present you have no say over. Also comparing a mayor of Birmingham to Doncaster or stoke is simplistic. A Birmingham mayor will have far more clout - hence why heavyweights like liam Byrne are throwing their hat in the ring.

The point I was making was that surely if the Mayoral idea worked, Stokes & Doncasters profile etc would have been raised, they havent. Well they have but only in negative ways.

Its American in concept & it doesnt sit comfortably with me, I am still waiting for a convincing argument to vote 'for' the idea.

[mikey23]

An elected mayor shouldn't be thought of as a one-size-fits-all superhero who can transform a locality in a single stroke; different methods of governing suit different places, but I believe an elected mayor would suit a city the size of Birmingham and help it live up to its potential.

I don't think the examples of Stoke and Doncaster are quite comparable with Birmingham. Admittedly abuses of the position occurred and negative press followed, but this could equally have happened, and indeed does happen, under council leader & cabinet systems. By way of contrast, one could suggest Leicester as an example where a mayoral system seems to be working well, with Peter Soulsby making a positive contribution to the city and raising its profile. Neither were the two examples thriving towns with flourishing council systems prior to an elected mayor, but instead places with deep rooted problems which could not be solved overnight.

Similarly, with specific reference to a figurehead, the quality of the candidates in Stoke and Doncaster could be said to be poor, whereas Birmingham's very nature, its size, economy etc, would attract higher profile candidates, something which can be seen in Sion Simon, Gisela Stuart and Liam Byrne already declaring an interest. Admittedly they are all Labour, but I suspect a similar standard of Conservative candidates will declare intentions to stand should we get a yes in a few weeks time. The opportunity to represent one million+ people would make the Birmingham mayor an attractive position, ensuring the major political parties would provide strong candidates.

[BABYCAKES]

Peter Soulsby who? do me a favour, I hadnt heard of him until i just read that and I take an interest in such matters, so you can bet your bottom dollar most people wouldnt have heard of him either.
You say high profile people are standing, dont you mean ex mps? This to me is the reason its a bad idea because it just becomes a beauty parade for large egos, look at Ken n boris. I must say I am genuinely open to the notion but am still waiting for a persuasive argument.

[SuttonBluenose]

Carl Chinn as Mayor would top everything for me.

[Brum X]

Originally Posted by SuttonBluenose

Carl Chinn as Mayor would top everything for me.

Never understood why people are so desperate to have Carl chinn as mayor, yes he is a dedicated Brummie who is passionate about his city, however what experience does he have in politics and running a city of over 1 million people ?????????

[BABYCAKES]

Originally Posted by Brum X

Never understood why people are so desperate to have Carl chinn as mayor, yes he is a dedicated Brummie who is passionate about his city, however what experience does he have in politics and running a city of over 1 million people ?????????

On that basis we would only ever have ex council leaders & ex mps as candidates

[Qoasis777]

Originally Posted by BABYCAKES

On that basis we would only ever have ex council leaders & ex mps as candidates

You say you've never heard of soulsby and then say we will only have ex MPs and council members.

Who exactly should be standing then?

[BABYCAKES]

Originally Posted by Qoasis777

You say you've never heard of soulsby and then say we will only have ex MPs and council members.

Who exactly should be standing then?

I havent heard of Soulsby, my point was that mikey23 was saying he'd raised the profile of his city, which was untrue in my opinion.

If you read my post again I was saying that according to Brumx only those with experience in power should stand, hence i was saying that would only mean ex mps and council leaders.

Presumably if one believes in the concept then anyone should stand, however from what I can see it is nothing more than a beauty contest of egos, therefore lesser known candidates are inevitably pushed out.

Why should the average person care about this? its a sideshow and I havent heard one convincing argument 'for' the idea of en elected mayor yet!

[Qoasis777]

Originally Posted by BABYCAKES

I havent heard of Soulsby, my point was that mikey23 was saying he'd raised the profile of his city, which was untrue in my opinion.

If you read my post again I was saying that according to Brumx only those with experience in power should stand, hence i was saying that would only mean ex mps and council leaders.

Presumably if one believes in the concept then anyone should stand, however from what I can see it is nothing more than a beauty contest of egos, therefore lesser known candidates are inevitably pushed out.

Why should the average person care about this? its a sideshow and I havent heard one convincing argument 'for' the idea of en elected mayor yet!

A directly elected mayor will be 100% accountable - if he/she doesbt deliver they will be out on their ear.

Do please explain to me how, at present I as a Ladywood voter can remove the council leader?

Also explain to me how at present I can remove the unelected CEO Stephen Hughes who earns some 205k per annum?

A mayor would be fully accountable - the present system is more akin to an old boys club.

[Brum X]

Well i have had my voting papers through the post this morning and they will be posted back in the morning.

Let the Battle begin.

[mikey23]

Originally Posted by BABYCAKES

I havent heard of Soulsby, my point was that mikey23 was saying he'd raised the profile of his city, which was untrue in my opinion.

Fair comment, although I meant to use Soulsby as a general example that a mayor can be a positive thing and won't result in hell freezing over, nor will it mean a power crazed fascist dictator will govern, something which the No campaign seem to believe will happen (see their scaremongering leaflets).

Having lived in Leicester for three years prior to the mayoral election I couldn't tell you who the leader of the council was; by contrast I knew who all the main candidates for the mayoral election were and had, some more than others, an idea of what they were pledging/standing on. I'm no longer a permanent resident of Leicester, but I know far more about what's going on in the city's politics now than I did when the council was led by a councillor. Soulsby isn't particularly high profile on the national stage (yet), you're quite right, but he has clear policies and a mandate to implement them, and has quickly set about doing it. He's also working closely with the city's institutions, as well as other cities, including our own, to engage their views and how best to achieve success for Leicester, and I believe Leicester is improving under his leadership.

Admittedly, this is my own anecdotal evidence which you can dismiss out of hand, but it's this experience of elected mayors and the positive impact I believe they can bring which would see me vote yes in the referendum. For what it's worth, being a resident of Bromsgrove I can't vote.

[BABYCAKES]

I havent had a leaflet through my door either for or against the idea, there will be a low turnout for this, which is a shame.
I take on board your points mikey re this issue, I guess we all speak as we find.

[RN750]

I will be voting NO.. We will just end up with another bloody politician getting paid a shed load of money to do what.. Leader of the Council..

Waste of time and money..

[Brum X]

Originally Posted by RN750

I will be voting NO.. We will just end up with another bloody politician getting paid a shed load of money to do what.. Leader of the Council..

Waste of time and money..

Yeah and Birmingham will again be put into the slow lane by government if other cities say Yes.

[Brum X]

I have voted a big YES and i encourage other people to do the same, Birmingham needs a new direction.

[BABYCAKES]

It will be interesting how many cities do say yes, and its a funny argument for something to say others have it therefore we must...

[Brum X]

Originally Posted by BABYCAKES

It will be interesting how many cities do say yes, and its a funny argument for something to say others have it therefore we must...

But why not try something new, what is sooooo brilliant about the present system ??????

[Brum X]

[morestoreysplease]

It's still a missed opportunity though because I believe the mayor should cover all 6 councils within our conurbation. And to appease the Black Country suspicions that it would only help Brum, I suggested on another thread that taking the accurate centre of our conurbation to be near to West Bromwich town centre then the new mayor could base their office in the Town Hall there.
Why should residents In Croydon, Ilford, Barnet and Hounslow living in 4 totally differing boroughs of Greater London get to enjoy a mayor for their collective conurbation and residents here cannot? I really cannot see any difference at all.

[BABYCAKES]

This morning I was starting to think I would vote yes, now Im starting to think I will stick to my inner voice & vote no. I have never been so undecided when voting, one thing I can guarantee is that I will vote one way or another lol...