Saturday 7 April 2012

Yes campaigners' plea for mayoral candidates

CAMPAIGNERS for an elected mayor in Bristol say it is "frustrating as hell" that no candidates are coming forward.

Less than a month before residents vote on whether to adopt a Boris Johnson-style figurehead, the city is still waiting for its first confirmed candidate.

Businesswoman Jaya Chakrabarti, who chairs the campaign for an elected mayor, said: "Bristol just needs to get its act together."

Architect George Ferguson, pictured far right, has said he might run as an independent, while Bristol West MP Stephen Williams, right, says he would consider putting himself forward in the event of a yes vote.

Meanwhile in Birmingham, Labour MPs Liam Byrne and Gisela Stuart are already campaigning, while Lib Dem MP John Hemming may stand for his party, and the current council leader is expected to stand for the Conservatives.

Liverpool and Manchester have already signed deals with the Government to elect a mayor without holding a referendum, unlocking millions of pounds of Government funding.

Backers of an elected mayor in Bristol insist a number of people are waiting in the wings, ready to declare if the city votes yes.

Ms Chakrabarti said council leader Barbara Janke's opposition to the change was a key factor for people's reticence. She said: "A lot of people I've spoken to have said 'I would love to support you publicly but I can't because of my relationship with the council'."

Ms Chakrabarti said a "phenomenal" number of people had expressed an interest in running, but added: "They won't say anything publicly, which is frustrating as hell.

"That is the psyche of Bristol. It doesn't reflect the passion people have for the city, but we are just too comfortable."

Another member of the yes campaign, nightclub owner Marti Burgess, said: "I have spoken to people who are considering standing and they are sitting and waiting.

"I am fairly confident that some good candidates will come forward."

Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie, who is also pressing for a yes vote, said she had been lobbying members of the business community to come forward.

Source: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Yes-campaigners-plea-mayoral-candidates/story-15745801-detail/story.html

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