City of Leicester to have an elected Mayor

[davieG]

Birch

[Nick]

Birch

- this is a serious job can we not make this into a Wagner campaign please!

[Finnegan]

Arnie, Boris, Birch.

[Bellend Sebastian]

From the Merc

Leicester businessman could be city's first elected mayor

Rick Moore

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."

I was at a community meeting last night in my usual capacity of twat finder general, and this bloke was there talking about student accommodation and such like. He actually came across pretty well, and is clearly a very capable individual - I particularly enjoyed the way that he didn't rise to people saying stupid things to him and instead just looked a bit tired. I do that myself.

I'll go out on a crazy limb here and suggest that he might be a stronger candidate for the post than the Birch

[Daggers]

- this is a serious job can we not make this into a Wagner campaign please!

Why not? He cares about people...just like H'Angus Drummond.

H'Angus made a much better job in Pools than anyone thought possible - otherwise these posts just attract party-dogma obsessed wankers like Colin.

The Birch would head and shoulders above most people who'll throw their hats into the ring.

</devilsAdvocateMode>

[Bellend Sebastian]

Why not? He cares about people...just like H'Angus Drummond.

H'Angus made a much better job in Pools than anyone thought possible - otherwise these posts just attract party-dogma obsessed wankers like Colin.

The Birch would head and shoulders above most people who'll throw their hats into the ring.

</devilsAdvocateMode>

In that case I'm going to throw my hat into the ring, and it's a hat made of solid gold and a ring of fire.

As far as I can tell, Birch's skills are limited to talking loudly and not listening to people.

Actually, he's pretty well qualified

[Daggers]

In that case I'm going to throw my hat into the ring, and it's a hat made of solid gold and a ring of fire.

As far as I can tell, Birch's skills are limited to talking loudly and not listening to people.

Actually, he's pretty well qualified

You aren't putting your hat in my ring.

[Bellend Sebastian]

You aren't putting your hat in my ring.

I didn't say it's a big hat.

You won't feel a thing

[accessory]

The current Mercury hysteria is quite ironic, given that a certain council source played a key role last summer in keeping Birchenall in his current post.

Does the Birch really want to take on the job of managing 16000 staff and a budget running into hundreds of millions of pounds?

OK, he's well respected for his charity work, but even Ultra can manage that...

[DeclanMC]

Can you imagine an Ultra/Birch coalition running Leicester? Would be mad as fook. Love to see an elected mayor though, someone who could be held up for the city council's actions in public. too often we see quality buildings being demolished or large job cuts, without anyone specific to hold to account, just senior managers in the council. With an elected mayor, he/she could be lauded/pilloried in the press rather than anonymous faces avoiding most of the blame

[Collier]

Ultra Birch sounds like some sort of thrush relief.

[Bellend Sebastian]

Ultra Birch sounds like some sort of thrush relief.

You only have to touch the chains of office and all your downstairs maladies will miraculously disappear

[Flynny]

Is ultra standing? He could air a campaign ad of his best comedy moments.

[Jon the Hat]

You only have to touch the chains of office and all your downstairs maladies will miraculously disappear

Is Maladies another words for Belts??

[Bellend Sebastian]

Is Maladies another words for Belts??

I think he was just proving to everyone he had a clean bill of health in his nether regions.

I for one was pleased. No one wants a mayor with the clap

[Mort]

The Council seems content to ram the proposal through and who ever gets the Labour nod will wind up getting elected - a strong independent would need to break into the rock solid Labour inner-city wards (where the turnout will dwarf the numbers voting in the peripheral wards) and that aint going to happen.

The mystery is why a Tory/LibDem government is introducing elected mayors in largely Labour cities, which is going to create powerful chief exec who aren't supportive of the government and potentially create a string of unwinable by-election where MPs plum for the Mayors' job - in principal its a good idea, just that in practice it creates some nasty headaches for the government.

[davieG]

Merc

'Man of people' David enters the race for mayor

By Adrian Troughton

Former parliamentary candidate David Bowley has announced his intention to run for elected mayor of Leicester.

The 53-year-old independent candidate feels it is time for the city to embrace change and a new beginning.

"I am the face of that change," said Mr Bowley. "I am independent of all the political parties and will sweep away all the old thinking.

"I am a man of the people and am in touch with what the average person on the street wants in Leicester.

"I am in touch, unlike all the other candidates who are out of touch."

Mr Bowley is no stranger to the political arena as he stood as an independent candidate in Leicester West in the General Election last year.

"I do not think the city was ready for me then, but I think that may have changed," he said.

"I feel they are ready to embrace me and the new thinking that entails."

Mr Bowley polled just 108 votes and lost his deposit.

"That has not put me off because here I am again. If I get elected as mayor I will only take the average wage, which is about £22,000.

"The rest of the wage can go to help people keep their jobs and try to stop these drastic cuts."

Mr Bowley said he wanted to tackle graffiti, litter and anti-social behaviour as a priority.

"I want to make the streets of this city a safer and nicer place to be," he said.

"That starts with making sure the little things that really affect people's lives are not ignored.

"I want to start from the bottom up to create a more caring and responsible society where everyone has a say."

Other candidates for elected mayor are Liberal Democrat Gary Hunt, Conservative Ross Grant and Labour's SirPeter Soulsby.

Other independent candidates who have declared their intention to stand include Mu-Hamid Pathan and Lee Sowden.

After the election on May 5, Leicester will become the largest city in the country outside London to have a directly elected mayor.

An election hustings is being held next month at De Montfort University, backed by the Leicester Mercury. People wanting to attend the event at the university's Hugh Aston building, at 6.30pm, on Monday, April 18, can register by calling 0116 257 7452, or e-mailing:

[email protected]

[Zingari]

He looks older than 53

Maybe all the touching that he seems so fond of has prematurely aged him

edit;

colourful character it seems

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/don-8217-t-win-8217-ll-says-Leicester-West-candidate/article-2111409-detail/article.html

http://liberalengland.blogspot.com/2010/05/david-bowley-independent-candidate-in.html

[Bellend Sebastian]

It's not quite as upsetting as the death of the Queen of Hearts, but it is nearly:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Birch-quits-race-city-mayor/article-3373566-detail/article.html

[Fosse Boy]

On May 5, voters will choose Leicester’s first elected mayor. The successful candidate, who is guaranteed a four-year term, will replace the city council leader. He or she will oversee 16,000 staff and be responsible for a budget of £500 million. Here are the 11 candidates

Regine Anderson - UKIP

Best known for anti-European Union views, UKIP also has a set of policies on domestic topics. It believes in zero-tolerance law enforcement, creating county-wide health boards to cut NHS bureaucracy and creating grammar schools.

David Bowley - Independent

The flamboyant candidate stood unsuccessfully in the General Election last year in the Leicester West seat.

He said the city was not ready for him 12 months ago.

He wants to see a break from party politics in the city and believes he is the man who can deliver that.

Mohinder Farma - Unity for Peace and Socialism

The Communist Party-led coalition of communists, socialists and workers candidates hopes that the opposition to cuts nationally could help bolster its support.

Mohinder will campaign to promote a socialist vision for Leicester.

Geoff Forse - Green

The volunteer and environmental campaigner has stood in every local election for two decades but has so far failed to win a seat.

He wants an overhaul of city bus services and new "community councils", and said public services must be protected from cuts.

Ross Grant - Conservative

The city's opposition group leader wants tighter controls on council finances to stop overspending, boost the creative industries in the city and invest in schools.

But his most eye-catching policy is his promise to hold a referendum on the position of mayor if elected.

Gary Hunt - Liberal Democrat

The city councillor said that his 24 years of experience as an elected member bolstered his credentials for the mayor's job.

He said that once new mayoral legislation was passed, Councillor Hunt said that he would bring in academics and experts to sit on his cabinet.

Rick Moore - Independent

The businessman has the backing of Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall and "clean politics" campaigner Martin Bell, and is expected to run a comprehensive campaign.

He said he would cut housing waiting lists by teaming up with the private sector, set aside more cash for policing and create jobs.

Nima Patel - Independent

No information available.

Mu-Hamid Pathan - Independent

The 18-year-old Youth Parliamentarian is the youngest candidate in the race.

He wants to protect services for young people and said his candidacy would help improve the image of younger people.

Sir Peter Soulsby - Labour

As a former leader of the city council, Sir Peter is the clear front-runner.

He has quit as MP for Leicester South to run for the post – a job he has coveted for more than two years.

He said his expertise would help deliver jobs, spark regeneration and bring in better services.

Lee Sowden - Independent

The magistrate and mature student is a candidate selected by University of Leicester Students Union.

He said he would help businesses to create graduate jobs, to encourage the city's students to stay in Leicester after finishing their degrees.

Apparently you can back Soulsby at odds of 1/4.

So, who's everyone punting for?

[Bellend Sebastian]

I'd probably go for Rick Moore.

He seems like an intelligent and able bloke and his lack of affiliation with the major parties makes him relatively appealing in my eyes.

And has the backing of the Birch! Need I say less

[Fosse Boy]

Having Martin Bell on side is quite an endorsement for him too.

[Bellend Sebastian]

Having Martin Bell on side is quite an endorsement for him too.

It certainly lends him additional credibility. I've mentioned this before but he was present at a community meeting I was at, and I was impressed by his straight-talking and apparently honest answers on what he was being quizzed about.

I'm not sure about his prospects though because I don't think the general populace will have a clue who he is, endorsements or not. Hopefully he'll stage an effective campaign and raise consciousness through that.

We shall see

[Fosse Boy]

Anyone following the debate tonight?

Beginning to feel it'd be a real shame if a party political candidate won this now, seems like all of the independents have something to offer the city.

Apparently Englebert's the latest Leicester celeb to back Rick Moore - pretty much just needs Mark Morrison now for the full set.

[Fosse Boy]

Anyone following the debate tonight?

Beginning to feel it'd be a real shame if a party political candidate won this now, seems like all of the independents have something to offer the city.

Apparently Englebert's the latest Leicester celeb to back Rick Moore - pretty much just needs Mark Morrison now for the full set.

I'll take that as a "no, who gives a toss" then.