by Greig Watson BBC News, Loughborough

A referendum will be held if 6,000 people sign a petition

But one man from Leicestershire has decided to do more than grumble and wants to take over the reins of power.

Lez Cope-Newman, a former receptionist at Charnwood Borough Council, is leading a campaign for a directly elected mayor at his authority.

If he gets the 6,000 signatures, the council will be obliged to hold a referendum on the issue.

Buckles and badges

Mr Cope-Newman, aged 53, has lived in Loughborough all his life and insists the idea of challenging the political status quo came almost by accident.

"I used to do short term contracts for the council, one of which included working on the front desk of reception.

I would want a cabinet which represents the parties but would not be stuck following political dogma - it would work for Charnwood Lez Cope-Newman, referendum campaigner

"All sorts of people would come in to complain about the services they were getting or the whether they could get hold of their councillor and so on.

"One day I sketched out my ideas for how things could be done differently and the people who saw it all seemed to think it was good stuff."

Mr Cope-Newman runs a bed and breakfast hotel and a small business which makes buckles and badges.

"I know this town and it's been hard to see it go downhill. I want to see it play to its strengths, the market, the people, a real sense of community.

"People complain about 'the council this' and 'the council that' but there are some damn good people working there.

Pile of bureaucracy

"What I think should happen is there should be a mayor who can take the praise and the criticism, be a visible and approachable person who can get things done and keep in touch with the community."

He added: "I don't like politics but I like to see things get done.

"I would want a cabinet which represents the parties but would not be stuck following political dogma - it would work for Charnwood."

Under the 2000 Local Government Act, a referendum for a mayoral election must be held if 5% of the electorate support the idea.

Mr Cope-Newman's partner, Derek, believes he has the right qualities: "He thrives on hard work and he has a big enough sense of ambition to see it through.

Colin Wingate, a stallholder at the market, said: "We aren't getting enough help, the market is going downhill and all we are told is to diversify."

"It needs someone far more accountable who can come here and hear us and see what needs to be done, rather than decisions be lost under a pile of bureaucracy and hidden in endless committees."

Much of the political establishment have come out against the idea of the directly elected mayor, saying it is too much power in the hands of one person.

But supporters believe centralised power will be a force for change and if that power is abused, the democratic process can change the regime.