|
The Government has announced plans for 11 cities to be able to hold referendums next May on whether to have directly elected mayors. The English Democrats will be supporting the campaigns for these reforms. Minister for decentralisation and cities Greg Clark told MPs he was pressing ahead with provisions for mayoral referendums in 11 cities across England on May 3, "subject to the approval of both Houses". Speaking during Commons questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Mr Clark said: "The Localism Act passed two weeks ago allows new powers to be devolved from central government to cities. Each city has been asked what additional powers it would like to take on under this new provision and I can announce to the House today, Mr Speaker, that I am laying before Parliament today draft orders to be made under the Localism Act which will provide, subject to the approval of both Houses, for mayoral referendums on the 3rd May 2012 in 11 cities: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield." The English Democrats are encouraging the development of the elected mayor agenda, viewing the model as a possible means of bringing about the modernisation of local government and strengthening local leadership and civic engagement. Party Chairman Robin Tilbrook said: "Directly Elected Mayors offer a far greater degree of democratic accountability. In towns and cities without elected mayors often a handful of selected councilors who are appointed to a top level committee make all the decisions behind closed doors. An elected mayor takes the power away from these self selecting cabals and puts it back in the hands of an individual who is directly accountable to the electorate."
 |
|
More Mayoral Referendums on the Way
Written by Administrator
|
