No to elected Mayors
Yes to Democracy
The Localism Act put through Parliament by the ConDem government, aims to create directly elected mayors in 12 of England’s largest cities.
No to elected Mayors
Yes to Democracy
The Localism Act put through Parliament by the ConDem government, aims to create directly elected mayors in 12 of England’s largest cities.
Directly elected mayors were first introduced by New Labour, and despite 27 towns and cities across England having voted against the idea the ConDems still seem to think it’s a good idea.
Directly elected mayors were first introduced by New Labour, and despite 27 towns and cities across England having voted against the idea the ConDems still seem to think it’s a good idea.
Elected or unelected what’s the difference? An elected mayor does not put more power in the hands of ordinary people. Birmingham’s Lord Mayor fulfils a purely ceremonial role, it’s local councillors that make decisions that determine policy on education, housing, economic development, social services etc.
Elected or unelected what’s the difference? An elected mayor does not put more power in the hands of ordinary people. Birmingham’s Lord Mayor fulfils a purely ceremonial role, it’s local councillors that make decisions that determine policy on education, housing, economic development, social services etc.
Having three local councillors serving each ward means that even if you don’t get the councillor you vote for, there’s a much greater chance of having one that will fight for the policies that you want implemented.
Having three local councillors serving each ward means that even if you don’t get the councillor you vote for, there’s a much greater chance of having one that will fight for the policies that you want implemented.
Having 120 councillors serving one million Brummies makes it a lot easier for you to have your voice heard on the 364 days that there isn’t an election. A single elected mayor won’t be answerable to local people and we’ll have to wait four years before we can get rid of them.
Having 120 councillors serving one million Brummies makes it a lot easier for you to have your voice heard on the 364 days that there isn’t an election. A single elected mayor won’t be answerable to local people and we’ll have to wait four years before we can get rid of them.
Rather than individual elected councillors being responsible for education, housing, transport etc. the Mayor will have the power to employ anyone they want, including friends and relatives, to decide policy—it would make our political system even more corrupt than it already is.
Rather than individual elected councillors being responsible for education, housing, transport etc. the Mayor will have the power to employ anyone they want, including friends and relatives, to decide policy—it would make our political system even more corrupt than it already is.
What’s the alternative? Instead of transferring powers away from Birmingham city council to one individual, powers should be transferred away from Westminster Parliament. Devolution in Scotland and Wales has helped to stop them from being affected by policies such as tuition fees and the ConDems NHS reforms.
What’s the alternative? Instead of transferring powers away from Birmingham city council to one individual, powers should be transferred away from Westminster Parliament. Devolution in Scotland and Wales has helped to stop them from being affected by policies such as tuition fees and the ConDems NHS reforms.
We need a political system which makes politicians more accountable to ordinary people, not less. Communists support more democracy at street and community level, with real involvement in deciding on and running local projects.
We need a political system which makes politicians more accountable to ordinary people, not less. Communists support more democracy at street and community level, with real involvement in deciding on and running local projects.
That’s why Birmingham Communists say:
Vote No on May 3rd
That’s why Birmingham Communists say:
Vote No on May 3rd
Why Birmingham Communists say NO to elected mayors
Why Birmingham Communists say NO to elected mayors
One person making decisions instead of 120 is not progress. This will transfer power and accountability away from people to a largely unaccountable mayor. Unlike council elections, where we get a say every year, once a Mayor’s elected were stuck with them for four years come what may This is not about Birmingham being like London. When the Mayor and Greater London Assembly were created separate powers were transferred from Westminster, London still has it’s 32 local borough councils Elected Mayor’s can employ their friends & relatives—with whopping salaries—to determine policy and bypass democratically elected councillors One person should not control the multi-billion pound budget of Britain’s second city This major, undemocratic and expensive change in local government shouldn’t be pursued whilst ordinary people are facing up to savage cuts Birmingham needs more democracy not less. Communists support the establishment of bodies that bring together people at street and community level to real involvement in setting up and running local projects
One person making decisions instead of 120 is not progress. This will transfer power and accountability away from people to a largely unaccountable mayor. Unlike council elections, where we get a say every year, once a Mayor’s elected were stuck with them for four years come what may This is not about Birmingham being like London. When the Mayor and Greater London Assembly were created separate powers were transferred from Westminster, London still has it’s 32 local borough councils Elected Mayor’s can employ their friends & relatives—with whopping salaries—to determine policy and bypass democratically elected councillors One person should not control the multi-billion pound budget of Britain’s second city This major, undemocratic and expensive change in local government shouldn’t be pursued whilst ordinary people are facing up to savage cuts Birmingham needs more democracy not less. Communists support the establishment of bodies that bring together people at street and community level to real involvement in setting up and running local projects