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A referendum is due to take place next summer in Bristol, with voters in the city being asked to choose whether to directly elect a mayor or stick with decisions being made by the council executive. An influential group of Bristolians last year began a campaign to promote an elected mayor. Their aim is to "influence the hearts and minds of the citizens of Bristol about how life could be if we were given more autonomy, and the clout that a single figure head with the right experience could give us in pushing projects of importance through". Meanwhile, in October last year, businesses in Bristol threw their weight behind the campaign. Business organisations GWE Business West said an overwhelming 86% of the 200 members who responded to a recent survey majority backed the idea of an elected mayor. Now, Labour councillors have been forced to stand aside and let the people decide on the issue. "Already many people distrust what they see as a political establishment working in their own narrow party-political interests – so to campaign for or against having an elected Mayor for Bristol would only confirm that perception," said Cllr Peter Hammond the leader of Bristol's Labour councillors. Campaigner Jaya Chakrabarti said yesterday Labour's stance gave the impression that the 'yes' campaign was gaining strength. "The Bristol Labour party appears to be playing this cautiously as it's well known that the government fears them turning the elected mayor debate into a Labour play for power in the core cities," she told Bristol24-7. "But it also seems to suggest that Labour are fairly confident about Bristol saying yes at the point of referendum. Let's hope they're right!" The English Democrats has encouraged the development of elected mayors across England, viewing the model as a possible means of bringing about the modernisation of local government and strengthening local leadership and civic engagement. We will be backing the 'YES' campaign in Bristol and hope to see even more cities and towns adopting elected mayors.
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Referendum on an Elected Mayor in Bristol
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