Plymouth needs a directly elected mayor – that’s the view of a new campaign group YESDEMPLYMOUTH which wants to see a referendum.
The group YESDEMPLYMOUTH, which is not affiliated to any political party, is fronted by former banker and entrepreneur Angus Forbes, who is the husband of Dame Darcey Bussell. The couple have lived in Plymouth for two years and Darcey is currently chair of the Board of Theatre Royal Plymouth. They are campaigning for a mayoral vote in plymouth to elect a new mayor.
Angus, who is supported by representatives from the business, arts, charitable and community sectors, said:
“I believe in Plymouth, I know we can create something exceptional here, because having been fortunate to have lived in several stunning prosperous remote coastal cities, I have sort of seen the movie before.
“But there is a blockage, and that is the structure of city leadership, the indirectly elected leader model. This failing is not a personnel issue, it is a structural one. The structure does not serve us.”
To force a referendum the campaign needs to collect a total of just under 9,800 signatures – representing five per cent of Plymouth’s electorate.
The campaign titled YESDEMPLYMOUTH was officially launched earlier this month when it unveiled its slogan: ‘When did the council listen to you – an elected mayor will.’
It has created a website – www.yesdemplymouth.com – where residents can sign up for more updates and information.
Supporters will be out and about in Plymouth in the coming weeks and months to raise awareness of the campaign and secure signatures – which have to be in writing and not online.
Angus said:
“Over 50 per cent of English people now have a directly elected mayor, with cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leicester, Bristol, Coventry, Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford and Middlesborough improving with a directly elected mayor in place.
Plymouth is a unique city, with unique problems and unique opportunities and we deserve to have the best governance structure available.”
He added that a DEM for Plymouth would be a one-for-one swap with the Leader of the City Council on the same pay – not some million pound mayor – the same one vote in the cabinet and not another layer of government.
He believes the DEM structure has four key components that will make a big difference to Plymouth.
“The first is direct democracy, the best form of democracy. Voting for your DEM directly, the DEM is directly responsible to us, not their political party. This reduces the need for our leader (the DEM) to play petty political games during their tenure. Additionally, they must assume responsibility for poverty and the problems of our city,”
said Angus
“Secondly, clearly stated objectives. Any DEM candidate has to say exactly what they aim to achieve in their tenure and will construct a cabinet on merit, to maximise the chances of achieving them. Currently, leaders slide into office without ever stating their objectives.
“Thirdly, is increased investment deriving from stability – four year terms – and greater visibility. Investors react more positively to the office of the DEM compared to leader of the council, and we really need investment in Plymouth.
“The fourth ingredient is a wider talent pool. There are many leaders in our city who would never consider standing as a councillor but they would consider running as a DEM, improving the chances of the most qualified and talented people coming to the fore.
“With a DEM, Plymouth will start to realise its potential as the DEM structure creates space for better leadership to operate in a reduced political setting.”
He added that if the referendum is successful he would not be standing as a candidate and the YESDEMPLYMOUTH campaign would be wound up having achieved its primary objective of securing the referendum.
