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SHEFFIELD MAYOR DEBATE IS YET TO IGNITE - BUT ARE BIG EGOS WAITING? Quiet referendum campaign in South Yorkshire with London's ego-driven shenanigans. But could these come north if the steel city votes YES to a directly elected mayor?
Along with five other cities in the north, and six elsewhere, the people of Sheffield are being given the chance to decide if we want to have an elected Mayor. If a majority votes Yes on 3 May, then a contest for the new position will be held in November. The campaign has not been very high profile. We doubt many Sheffield people even know that the matter is up for decision. This is tragic. Yet again. politics has been left out in the cold. Is that the fault of an apathetic public or of narcissistic political actors?
also concerned that an elected mayor would be in the position for four years, with no mechanism in the legislative to remove them. Check out Doncaster, they said, for one possible set of consequences. Meanwhile the YES campaign was launched with universally homemade placards. Kevin Meagher, chairman of Sheffield Irish Association and a member of the GMB and Unison unions, is one of those backing the Yes side. The campaign focuses on modernising the city's politics, he says, and dragging them out of a system which is based in the 19th century.
have the funds to stage anything spectacular. Then there is a lack of a platform in which to debate the subject. Limited coverage in the local press has not helped. Social media has been quiet and there just does not seem to be an appetite for the subject. But is this the failing of the politicians themselves? Last week we witnessed the spectacle of what has become a farcical ego-driven mayoral contest in London.
Politics is about personality, but we the voters need to make sure that this does not become bigger than Sheffield's Conservative party is also backing the the issues involved. There has been media coverage The arguments for the No campaign have been Yes vote. The main rhetoric from the Tories is that of the issues in London, but time and again it comes voiced by, among others, the union Unison. A mass an elected mayor will put power back into the hands back to Boris and Ken. Genuine arguments someof semi-professional and handmade posters and of Sheffield people and that a directly elected mayor times, but always linked about those egos. placards bobbed up and down outside the town hall will be accountable to them. Local members appear Well, grandstanding is what an elected mayor is at the launch of a campaign entitled 'Nightmayor'. to be following the party line on this issue and have probably supposed to do. Paul Scriven in action. The protesters' main argument focused on the cost had plenty of time to discuss it. It was the Localof the mayor's office - ÂŁ400,000 they claimed. ism Bill, introduced by the coalition government Is this what is coming our way if Sheffield elects to They also raised questions as to whether the present in 2010, which included the measures to give 12 have the Mayoral system? Do not rule out our own system of a cabinet needs changing. cities around the country the powers to have elected version of an ego-fuelled contest which bypasses mayors if voters approved. the real politics of real peoples lives. If there is a The local Labour party's stance is a unanimous Yes vote, it will be interesting to see who comes NO. The Opposition leader Ed Miliband on the So the low-profile campaign so far has produced forward for election in November: old New Labour subject and he said that it was up to local Labour some strange political bedfellows. It is not that often politicians such as David Blunkett? More contemcouncillors to decide whether they wanted to back a that you find the Tories on the same side as some porary local politicians such as the Liberal Demomayoral system of governance. prominent members of unions. crats' Paul Scriven. Others who have played a major part in recent civic affairs. Might they even tempt They said that their main objection concerned the As for the lack of a excitement, that could down back Sir Bob Kerslake from his august position in future running of the city, especially the worry to money, or lack of it. There is none. Movements London to God's own county? about power being in one person's hands. They were such as the Yes and No campaigns in the city do not
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