 Campaigning goes on against the mayoral system |
Elected mayors were supposed to usher in a new and invigorated era of local democracy.
Overnight would come an end to cronyism, sleaze and creaking old municipal machines.
In would come American style, executive leaders with the drive and power to make things happen.
At least that is what it said on the tin, otherwise known as the Local Government Act of 2000.
Campaigning against the Mayor
But of the 12 councils with directly elected mayors so far established in England, four already have campaigns seeking abolishment of the position.
One of them is in Doncaster.
The Doncaster Fair Deal Campaign is gathering momentum by the day say its organisers.
Campaign Secretary, Joan Moffat and her colleagues can often be found in the town centre, collecting the signatures of disaffected voters.
"We want a referendum calling for the abolishment of the mayoral system and move to a [council] leader and cabinet system," she explained.
 Mayor, Martin Winter is fighting to convince the public |
"The mayoral system isn't working in Doncaster," she insisted, "it's proving to be very undemocratic with too much power in one man's hands.
"The system allows a dictatorial style of government rather than a democratic one."
The man in question is Labour Party mayor, Martin Winter.
Many believe his position has been undermined by a series of corruption allegations and the resignation of some of his closest colleagues because of his leadership style.
Although cleared of most of the allegations, one is still being investigated.
Strong support?
Elected mayors were supposed to usher in a new and invigorated era of local democracy.Elected mayors were supposed to usher in a new and invigorated era of local democracy.
But some believe the Fair Deal campaign is misguided, in effect throwing out the baby with the bath water.
 Meanwile, pressing the flesh out on the streets goes on... |
Neville Dearden is the chief executive of Doncaster's chamber of commerce.
He concedes the position has not got off to the best of starts but believes the mandate for the current mayor is still strong.
"Business wants somebody to set policy, somebody decisive, somebody who can see projects through," he said.
"I'd like to see the political agenda of the mayor become an A-political agenda. The line of authority for an elected mayor is the population at large [not political parties]."
High approval
A man who shares that sentiment is the elected mayor of Mansfield.
Elected on an independent platform, businessman Tony Eggington is the only other elected mayor in our region.
But in Mansfield there is no campaign calling for an end of the mayoral system. In a recent local newspaper internet poll Tony scored a 91% approval rating.
"I think people see me as a man of the people," he said. People elected me to get the best out of strong politicians.
 Mayor Eggington remains unique in the region as being elected |
"My advice to Martin," he continued, "would be to step back and become independent of any political party."
Party political or not, the fact remains Martin Winter has made a name for himself and not always for the right reasons.
Much of the bad publicity he has received may be unjustified.
But with a mayoral system that promotes personality politics, even question marks over a leader's conduct can have a disproportionate impact.
Campaigner Joan Moffat said: "If our mayor was a responsible and democratic mayor, I'm sure no one would sign any petition to have the position abolished."
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