Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

CHANGE

How do you like your city, sir, madam? One skyscraper or two? As for me, I would have a plate full, but add a dash of clearer leadership would you?

It is tremendous to see the cranes on the Plymouth skyline and the regeneration work now well underway. The Mackey vision for the Plymouth of the future, supported by all political parties, is slowly appearing before our very eyes, with the exciting plans for Millbay still to come. I strongly support the current plan for growth, for much taller buildings, for bringing the city centre back to life with people living in it once again. The economic and cultural engine room of the far south west is on a roll. This under-achieving city of ours, blessed with such a superb setting – the moor, the sea and the rolling beauty of the south hams and Cornwall – may yet achieve its potential in our lifetime. This is important even for those living outside its boundaries – for the wellbeing of the centre of gravity affects us all.

But I wish to advocate one further step to set us up for the future: stronger, clearer leadership, by choosing a directly elected mayor. The law of the land allows the voters of any city to choose to be governed by a figurehead (effectively a chief executive) that they themselves elect.

The citizens of Plymouth last looked at this issue 4 years and 11 months ago and the referendum was defeated. The law requires a gap of 5 years before we can ask the question again. That period expires on 24th January 2007. A petition signed by just 5% of the adult population, less than 10,000 people, will trigger a second referendum.

A yes vote would open the way for a mayoral election next year.
I believe that we should look at this again. Torbay went down this route a year or two ago and it seems to have brought benefits. Everybody knows who is in charge and there is greater transparency and accountability.
Compare that with the current situation here. At local elections we vote for the candidates in our ward. The team with the most councillors runs the city. Even if we know who the local leader is, that caucus of councillors can change their mind every year if they want and change that person. The people don’t choose our city’s leader.

But we could. Should we? What do you think?

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, December 19, 2006