[Metrobeans]

V427 - Elected Mayors Bill 2012, TSR Government

An Act establishing directly elected mayors in all major towns and cities.

BE IT ENACTED by The Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

1. Establishment of directly elected Mayors
(1) Upon the passage of this act, any major town or city in the United Kingdom which does not currently have a directly elected mayor is to hold a referendum on the issue at the next election, regardless of the type of election.
(2) Voters will be asked a question decided by the electoral commission about whether they wish to directly elect a mayor of their local town/city.
(3) They will then be asked at a later date who they wish to serve as mayor. This vote will be held within one year of the referendum being passed. The exact wording will be decided by the electoral commission.
(3) If a majority of the voters choose a directly elected mayor, then the mayor will be elected using a supplementary vote system.
(4) The elected mayor will have the all the powers of a current mayor/Lord Provost or council leader in their local town/city, as well as the casting vote if a vote between local councillors is tied. They will appoint a cabinet using the D'Hont voting system from within the local council.

2. For the purposes of this Act-
A major town or city shall be a town or city with a voter population of over 100 000 people.

3. Commencement, short title and extent
(1) This Act may be cited as the Elected Mayors Act 2012
(2) This bill shall extend to the United Kingdom; and
(3) Shall come into force immediately following Royal Assent.

[TopHat]

This will just Americanize politics, entrench the two party system, create an additional layer of bureaucracy and cost, create totally dysfunctional council cabinets, and create serious tension in Northern Ireland. To top it off, it doesn't actually address the issue of localism at all by increasing the powers of local government. A strong, strong No to this one and I would implore everyone to do likewise.

[mevidek]

Accidentally clicked aye when I meant to click no...

Nick?

(Original post by Metrobeans)

V427 - Elected Mayors Bill 2012, TSR Government

An Act establishing directly elected mayors in all major towns and cities.

BE IT ENACTED by The Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

1. Establishment of directly elected Mayors
(1) Upon the passage of this act, any major town or city in the United Kingdom which does not currently have a directly elected mayor is to hold a referendum on the issue at the next election, regardless of the type of election.
(2) Voters will be asked a question decided by the electoral commission about whether they wish to directly elect a mayor of their local town/city.
(3) They will then be asked at a later date who they wish to serve as mayor. This vote will be held within one year of the referendum being passed. The exact wording will be decided by the electoral commission.
(3) If a majority of the voters choose a directly elected mayor, then the mayor will be elected using a supplementary vote system.
(4) The elected mayor will have the all the powers of a current mayor/Lord Provost or council leader in their local town/city, as well as the casting vote if a vote between local councillors is tied. They will appoint a cabinet using the D'Hont voting system from within the local council.

2. For the purposes of this Act-
A major town or city shall be a town or city with a voter population of over 100 000 people.

3. Commencement, short title and extent
(1) This Act may be cited as the Elected Mayors Act 2012
(2) This bill shall extend to the United Kingdom; and
(3) Shall come into force immediately following Royal Assent.

[Rakas21]

I vote Aye, i see localism as a good thing and hope that we as a government will go further.

[Morgsie]

2000px-England_administrative_divisions_since_2009.svg.png

Structure of Local Government in England

[Morgsie]

I voted no because Local Government is complex which my previous post shows if you click the link. I do support localism though.

[Rakas21]

(Original post by Morgsie)
I voted no because Local Government is complex which my previous post shows if you click the link. I do support localism though.

Surely you should be abstaining then if it is on complexity grounds.

[JPKC]

I voted no because there's been absolutely no attempt to fix the problems pointed out in the first reading, even though I'd be open to the concept in and of itself.

[internetguru]

(Original post by TopHat)
This will just Americanize politics, entrench the two party system, create an additional layer of bureaucracy and cost, create totally dysfunctional council cabinets, and create serious tension in Northern Ireland. To top it off, it doesn't actually address the issue of localism at all by increasing the powers of local government. A strong, strong No to this one and I would implore everyone to do likewise.

Northern Ireland?

[Matthew_Lowson]

Why oppose a measure to support and sustain democracy?

We ensure the mayor chooses a cabinet appropriate to party's support? Councils would be up for annual election in thirds? and mayors would be legally bound to follow the electorate's wishes in the choosing of their cabinet.



(if this is what was on the table next Thursday I'd be voting yes in RL)

[Keckers]

Abstaining, I believe that localism important but I don't believe a mayoral system is the best implementation.

[RoryS]

I agree with my Labour colleagues on this one - no.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by Morgsie)
I voted no because Local Government is complex which my previous post shows if you click the link. I do support localism though.

Why do you have to be so contradictory?

[Moleman1996]

(Original post by tehFrance)
Why do you have to be so contradictory?

I think its a requirement for him these days...

[Metrobeans]

(Original post by mevidek)
Accidentally clicked aye when I meant to click no...

Nick?

Amended.

[jesusandtequila]

I don't think a mayoral system will do much to help localism along - it doesn't push any more powers down and just helps personality politics. Nope.

[mevidek]

(Original post by Metrobeans)
Amended.

Cheers

[Metrobeans]

The noes have it! The noes have it!