The elected mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Mark Mereditch says he supports a referendum campaign to create the same post in Crewe and Nantwich. People opposed to plans to move Crewe's war memorial are trying to get enough signatures to bring about a referendum.
Campaigners are trying to prevent Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council moving the memorial from the Market Square.
Their best hope of preventing this happening is to change the political system by installing an elected mayor.
Mark Meredith, who became elected mayor of Stoke in May, told BBC Radio Stoke he was behind the protesters' efforts.
About half of the 4,500 signatures needed to force a vote on the current political system have been collected, according to the Memorial Action Team.
The council wants to move the Grade II-listed building to the Municipal Square.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has approved its plans.
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