[Mark76]

No, not the one with the funny hat and the bling bling

The people of Leicester are set to elect an all-powerful mayor to run the city for the first time next May.

The winner of the election – in which anyone can stand – will become one of the most powerful, directly-elected politicians in the country.

Debate has raged for months over whether to have an elected mayor, but last night the controlling Labour group on the city council backed the proposal.

Council leader Councillor Veejay Patel said: "An elected mayor will give power back to the people, rather than politicians.

"The public votes will give an elected mayor the mandate to get things done."

Voters will be consulted, although there is no need for a referendum.

If a special full council meeting gives the go-ahead, the vote would take place next May – on the same day as local elections and a referendum on a new proportional representation voting system.

At present the council leader is selected by fellow councillors and cabinet positions are selected by the local party, meaning the leader has less influence over policy.

An elected mayor will select his or her own cabinet to control every policy area in the city – from schools and transport to finance and regeneration.

Leicester South MP and former city council leader Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This is very good news. It is only right that the people of Leicester should have the right to choose who they want to have the powers.

"I've long made it clear that I want to be the elected mayor of Leicester, but no doubt there'll be several people who put themselves forward for the role."

Another former council leader, Councillor Ross Willmott, will also be in the running to become the Labour candidate.

Councillor Manish Sood, the Labour parliamentary candidate who openly criticised Gordon Brown during the general election, also plans to run.

City council Tory opposition leader Councillor Ross Grant said the council was pushing it through without full public consent. He said: "This course of action seems to be driven by the personal ambition of malcontent politicians."

The honorary Lord Mayor's position in the city – currently held by Councillor Colin Hall – will remain.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co....ITY-MAYOR/article-2852183-detail/article.html

 

[Lears City]

Has to be...

 

[Leicity82]

I don't mind an elected mayor as long as they actually benefit the city and not just there to raise their own profile.

 

[rusheyboy]

This could provide a great boost to the City, as long as there is a seperation of powers from the LCC. We need a powerful mayor who will not be held on a tight leash by New Walk.

Sir Peter Soulsby will get my support. Shortly after we won the grant to build the National Space Centre, there was a great picture of him in the Mercury celebrating the news. He was genuinly ecstatic. I can't recall ever seeing such passion in a City Councillor and passion has to be a pre-requisite for whoever represents our us.

 

[PAC_MAN]

I would like to see somebody who is keen on development and regeneration.

The city centre can still do with improvement and it must continue.

Martin Traynor?

 

[Lears City]

First independent...

Leicester businessman could be city's first elected mayor

Leicester is set to vote for its first elected mayor in May. David Maclean reports on the first possible candidate – and how the system has worked elsewhere

An independent candidate who has never held public office could end up running Leicester from next May.

Chartered surveyor Rick Moore is the first independent to throw his hat into the ring to become the city's first elected mayor.

The president-elect of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce believes he has a chance of winning if the planned election goes ahead in six months' time.

Mr Moore, 65, said: "I've backed the idea of elected mayor for some time now, but I do fear that we will end up with another party politician in charge.

"That's why I am stating my interest in standing for the role should an election be held."

Out of the 12 towns and cities across Britain with an elected mayor, a third have been won by people with no party political ties.

Mr Moore said any candidacy would be based on bringing his decades of business experience to local government.

He said: "I don't have an eye-catching gimmick. I'd just want to use my business knowledge to run the city responsibly. Financial problems such as those faced by De Montfort Hall, for example, wouldn't happen on my watch.

"I'd want the council to keep a tight rein on budgets and step in quickly to stop overspends. I'd want to see value for money achieved with every service and in every department. But at the same time I'd be keen to make sure we properly looked after those who were genuinely vulnerable in society."

Local government expert Professor Colin Copus said there was every chance an independent could win in the city – potentially shattering the dreams of party political candidates with years of experience.

Prof Copus, from Leicester University said: "It throws open the possibility of anyone standing for mayor. They no longer need a background in party politics to win."

In Hartlepool, a call-centre worker who campaigned for office dressed as a monkey won the election.

In 2002, Stuart Drummond stood on a platform of giving free bananas to children, but has since built a cross-party cabinet coalition and been re-elected for a second term.

In Middlesbrough "Robocop" Ray Mallon was a former police detective who left the force to stand for public office. He won with an overwhelming majority and has since been credited with helping to cut crime in the city.

Peter Davies stood as an English Democrat in Doncaster, beating mainstream parties.

And former newsagent Tony Egginton has won two terms as elected mayor of Mansfield, even beating a challenge from the local Labour MP in 2007.

He said: "Leicester would benefit from an independent mayor who is removed from party politics. If someone can run a campaign which shows they have integrity and can be trusted then they have a good chance of winning."

One city Labour cabinet member who is opposed to the creation of an elected mayor, said: "The party is focused on which member will win the party's nomination. But there's the chance we could get blind-sided by a popular high-profile candidate who has never been a politician."

 

[Owlyross]

An independent mayor would definitely be the best thing. Let's just hope it's not a bloody English Democrat or some other horrific party.

 

[Mark76]

All together now...

Who wants to be a Leicester Mayor?

 

[duane]

I'm hoping for someone like Boris Johnson. Eventhough he is hard to understand, he still manages to make me laugh everytime he opens his mouth.

 

[PAC_MAN]

Apparently "The Birch" Alan Birchenall "Leicester City Legend" is standing as mayor

I quite like this idea - atleast he's non political

Also I wonder if he is pro High rise! :hm:

 

[Mark76]

It'd be better to ask if he's pro underground parking.

Without that we can have the best high rises in the world but no one will want to rent space in them.

 

[duane]

If only Leicester could find someone like Boris Jonhson! Here he is in one of his many comedy sketches. I mean, speeches

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsFRgIb8mAQ

 

[Lears City]

THE ELEVEN CANDIDATES

http://i.thisis.co.uk/275565/binaries/City Mayor.pdf

Peter Soulsby - Labour

Peter Soulsby Letter

Regine Anderson - UKIP

Unable to find a link at present

David Bowley - Independent

David Bowley Story

Mohinder Farma - Unity for Peace and Socialism

Mohinder Farma Story

Geoff Forse - Green

Geoff Forse Story

Ross Grant - Conservative

Ross Grant Story

Gary Hunt - Liberal Democrat

Gary Hunt Story

Rick Moore - Independent

Rick Moore Story

Nima Patel - Independent

Unable to find a link at present

Mu-Hamid Pathan - Independent

Mu-Hamid Pathan Story

Lee Sowden - Independent

Lee Sowden Story

 

[rusheyboy]

Sir Peter will get my vote...

 

[Lears City]

The clear favourite at the moment, especially as Filbert the Fox didn't bother...

 

[Mark76]

And the answer is...

Sir Peter.

 

[WOTZDA POINT]

I'm really enjoying this mega election. A few years ago i would have been taking part in 4 seperate elections (Leicester South) But now i live over the border in Wigston (Wickston to the locals) and i'm only taking part in 2.

Politically Wigston is very different to Leicester of course, but geographically Wigston is as much dependant on Leicester as any suburb in the city. So i do feel frustrated that i can't vote for the new Leicester Mayor.

If i could however i would have chosen the independent candidate Rick Moore-to get the city doing business again !

Over to you Lord Soulsby and your red army.

 

[Leicity82]

Let's hope he does something positive. Apparantly we will know his plans on Sunday.

 

[moseeds]

Let's hope he does something positive. Apparantly we will know his plans on Sunday.

I wonder if he will campaign to have Leicester's borders changed. But with the Leicestershire council in safe tory hands I doubt that will happen any time soon.

 

[Lears City]

He is going to be strongly backed at City Council level. All but two seats in the council are held by Labour...