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2012 English mayoral referendums

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Map showing referendum results by authority; Green = Yes, Red = No

A series of mayoral referendums were held on 3 May 2012 in England's 11 largest cities to determine whether to introduce directly elected mayors to provide political leadership, replacing their current council leaders, who are elected by the local council.[1]

Parliamentary approval was granted for referendums to be held in Birmingham,[2] Bradford,[3] Bristol,[4] Coventry,[5] Leeds,[6] Manchester,[7] Newcastle upon Tyne,[8] Nottingham,[9] Sheffield[10] and Wakefield.[11] The government had also intended to hold referendums on whether to introduce directly elected mayors in Leicester and Liverpool, however before the government could order these referendums, the two city councils had already decided to adopt a mayoral system themselves. Leicester City Council voted to introduce a mayor in 2010 without holding a referendum, and an election was held in 2011 for the position.[12] Meanwhile, despite legislation being passed for a referendum in Liverpool,[13] the City Council voted to bypass the referendum and to instead hold a mayoral election on the same day as other local elections in May.[14]

In addition, Doncaster Borough Council decided to hold a referendum on the same day, to determine whether to retain their elected mayoral system, having been one of the earliest authorities to adopt one, in 2001.[15]

On 26 January 2012 electors in Salford voted in favour of an elected mayor by 17,344 votes to 13,653.[16] There was an inaugural 2012 Salford mayoral election on the same day as 2012 United Kingdom local elections.

Background

[edit]

Directly elected mayorship in the United Kingdom was first established by Tony Blair's Labour Government with the creation of the Mayor of London. The Local Government Act 2000 then provided all councils in England and Wales with a range of options as to how to operate its executive functions, including the option of a directly elected mayor. The Act also provided that a petition of more than 5% of the electorate of a council area could force that council to hold a referendum on whether to introduce a directly elected mayor.

As of January 2011, there had been 40 of these referendums with a further one planned in Salford for 26 January 2012.[17] Of these 40, only 13 had voted in favour of the introduction of a mayor, with 27 rejecting the proposal. These figures included two referendums held in Stoke-on-Trent, the first in 2002 that had approved the creation of a directly elected mayor, and the second in 2008 that had seen the electorate vote to abolish the position.

In 2009, the then Conservative Opposition, who were well ahead in opinion polling for the following year's general election, had said they would introduce elected mayors for England's 12 biggest cities, if they won power. In the 2010 general election, they did win power, albeit in a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, and Prime Minister David Cameron reaffirmed his previous commitment to hold a series of referendums on whether to introduce mayors for the biggest English cities.[18]

The Department for Communities and Local Government launched a consultation on 1 November 2011 to decide what powers any newly created city mayors could have at their disposal.[19] The list of powers the government considered devolving included power over rail and bus services, skills, apprenticeships, and money to invest in high speed broadband and other economic infrastructure.[20] Shortly after announcing this consultation, the government confirmed that 11 referendums would all be held on 3 May 2012.[1]

Question

[edit]

The question that was asked in the referendum was set by central government, and read as follows:[21]

How would you like [name of city] to be run?
  • By a leader who is an elected councillor chosen by a vote of the other elected councillors. This is how the council is run now.
Or
  • By a mayor who is elected by voters. This would be a change from how the council is run now.

Overview of results

[edit]
City Date Result Yes % No % Turnout % (valid ballots)[22] Notes
Birmingham 3 May No 42.0 58.0 27.6
Bradford 3 May No 44.9 55.1 33.5
Bristol 3 May Yes 53.3 46.7 24.1
Coventry 3 May No 36.4 63.6 26.2
Doncaster 3 May Retain 62.0 38.0 Referendum to decide on whether to retain or abolish existing directly elected mayor.
Leeds 3 May No 36.7 63.3 30.3
Manchester 3 May No 46.8 53.2 24.7
Newcastle upon Tyne 3 May No 38.06 61.94 32.0
Nottingham 3 May No 42.5 57.5[23] 27.6
Sheffield 3 May No 35.0 65.0[24] 32.1
Wakefield 3 May No 37.8 62.2[25] 28.6

Cities

[edit]

Birmingham

[edit]

The referendum was held prior to decisions on the Mayoral responsibilities.[26] Amongst those campaigning for a 'yes' vote in Birmingham were Gisela Stuart, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, Liam Byrne, Labour MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, Sir Albert Bore, the leader of the Labour group on Birmingham City Council, and Siôn Simon, the former Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington.

Liam Byrne confirmed he would stand for his party's nomination were voters to approve plans in the referendum.[27] He was supported by ex-Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore.[28]

Those advocating a 'no' vote included Roger Godsiff, Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and John Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley.[29]

Birmingham Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 120,611 57.8
Yes 88,085 42.2
Total votes 208,696 100.00

The post of West Midlands Mayor, chairing the West Midlands Combined Authority, was introduced in 2017 without a further referendum.[citation needed]

Bradford

[edit]

All three main political parties in Bradford - Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats declared their opposition to an elected mayor for the city,[30] whilst the Conservative MP Kris Hopkins, who was previously leader of Bradford Council, also campaigned for a 'no' vote in his Keighley constituency in the hope that such an outcome would help the area 'break-away' from Bradford.[31] George Galloway, who was elected MP for Bradford West in a by-election five weeks before the referendum, declared his support for a directly elected mayor shortly after his election, making him the sole Bradford MP in favour of the proposal.[32]

Bradford Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 66,283 55.1
Yes 53,949 44.9
Required majority 50
Total votes 120,232 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 341,126 35

Bristol

[edit]

The out-going Leader of Bristol City Council, Barbara Janke, was opposed to the introduction of a directly elected mayor, as was the rest of her Liberal Democrat group, whilst the city's Green Party were also opposed. The Conservatives were the only party in the city to openly support the introduction of a mayor, whilst Labour adopted a neutral approach of "let the people decide".[33] The leader of Bristol City Council described the electorate as "palpably apathetic" on the issue.[33]

Bristol Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 41,032 53
No 35,880 47
Required majority 50
Total votes 76,912 100.00

Coventry

[edit]

Labour controlled Coventry Council said they believed an elected mayor is unnecessary, and were supported by the Liberal Democrats, Socialist, and the majority of Conservative councillors in a council motion formally opposing the idea of a directly elected mayor.[34] All of Coventry's MPs declared their opposition to the plan too, with the sole exception of Bob Ainsworth, former Defence Secretary and MP for Coventry North East, who suggested that the position would make the council more accountable to the electorate.[35][36]

Coventry Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 39,483 63.6
Yes 22,619 36.4
Total votes 62,956 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 236,818 26.6
Source: [37]

The post of West Midlands Mayor (covering the West Midlands county, including Coventry) was introduced in 2017, without a further referendum.

Leeds

[edit]

The Labour leader of Leeds City Council criticised the proposals for an elected mayor as "utter madness",[38] whilst the Conservative and Liberal Democrat group leaders on the City Council also both expressed their opposition to the plan, and advocated a 'no' vote.[39]

Leeds Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 107,910 63.3
Yes 62,440 36.7
Total votes 174,442 100.00
Source: [40]

Manchester

[edit]

The non-political Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, responded to the government's consultation of elected mayors by stating that such a position was not suitable for Manchester.[41] Some analysts and local business leaders have stated their opposition to a mayoral system of local governance in Manchester and have stated the progress Manchester has made over the past 20 years that shows the current system is adequate.[42]

Amongst the local political parties, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Manchester City Council publicly declared his support for the proposals,[43] whilst the Manchester Evening News reported that many Labour politicians were "quietly opposed to change".[43] Manchester narrowly voted against a mayor; the result was however much closer than many local politicians and media predicted, and far closer than the other ten cities which also held mayoral referendums.

A poll of almost 1000 Mancunians by the MEN in April 2012 found a majority preferred the current system of a council leader and their cabinet rather than a mayoral system of local government. The poll found however that a majority would favour a mayor for the wider Greater Manchester region, which includes 10 metropolitan boroughs, over a system of individual mayors for towns and cities.[44] On 3 November 2014 it was announced that a directly elected Mayor for the Greater Manchester region would be introduced with the first Mayoral elections to be held in 2017.[45]

Manchester Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 48,593 53.2
Yes 42,677 46.8
Total votes 91,270 100.00
Source: [1]

Newcastle upon Tyne

[edit]

A campaign group advocating a 'yes' vote in the Newcastle referendum was led by Brian Moore, former Chairman of the Newcastle Conservative Party.[46] The idea was backed by Newcastle First, a local political party,[47] and the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hexham.[48]

The local Labour and Liberal Democrat groups had previously expressed their opposition to an elected mayor[49] but both of their group leaders declared their intentions to stand if the position was created.[50]

Newcastle upon Tyne Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 40,089 61.9
Yes 24,630 38.1
Total votes 64,719 100.00
Source: [51]

Nottingham

[edit]

Nottingham City Council has previously rejected calls to hold a referendum using its own powers under the Local Government Act 2000,[52] and the leader of the council, Jon Collins, has also previously expressed his personal opposition to an elected mayor because of the potential of such a position leading to a dysfunctional council.[53] The local Liberal Democrats also expressed their opposition to the proposals, and advocated a 'no' vote.[54]

The vote went against an elected mayor.[55]

Nottingham Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 28,320 57.5
Yes 20,943 42.5
Total votes 49,439 100.00
Source: [2]

Sheffield

[edit]

The Labour and Liberal Democrat groups on Sheffield City Council both expressed opposition to the idea of an elected mayor,[56] whilst the regional director of the Confederation of British Industry, Andrew Palmer, also expressed doubt over the plan.[57] The trade union Unison also actively campaigned for a 'no' vote in the referendum.[58]

Support for the proposal was given by the local Conservative party, who claimed a directly elected mayor would be more accountable to the electorate,[59] as well as other local business owners who claimed a directly elected mayor would hold a "stronger mandate to take decisions".[57]

Sheffield Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 82,890 65.0
Yes 44,571 35.0
Total votes 127,461 100.00
Source: [60]

Wakefield

[edit]

Although critical of the post, Wakefield Council leader Peter Box suggested he would put his name forward if the referendum was passed.[61]

Amongst the local political parties, the Conservative group leader on Wakefield Council declared his party's support for the status quo, whilst the local UK Independence Party expressed support for the mayoral position.[62]

Wakefield Mayoral referendum 2012
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 45,357 62.2
Yes 27,610 37.8
Total votes 73,547 100.00
Source: [63]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Greg Clark: Date set for elected city mayors". Department for Communities and Local Government. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  2. ^ "The City of Birmingham (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/324
  3. ^ "The City of Bradford (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/325
  4. ^ "The City of Bristol (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/326
  5. ^ "The City of Coventry (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/327
  6. ^ "The City of Leeds (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/328
  7. ^ "The City of Manchester (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/329
  8. ^ "The City of Newcastle upon Tyne (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/330
  9. ^ "The City of Nottingham (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/331
  10. ^ "The City of Sheffield (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/332
  11. ^ "The City of Wakefield (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/333
  12. ^ "Leicester elected mayor plan is approved". BBC News. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  13. ^ "The City of Liverpool (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Liverpool Council passes motion to adopt elected mayor system". Liverpool Daily Post. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Voters to decide on mayor's future". The Star. 19 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Salford votes in favour of elected mayor". Salford City council.
  17. ^ "Referendum for an Elected Mayor". Salford City Council. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  18. ^ "Cameron gives elected mayor views in Birmingham". BBC News. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  19. ^ "What can a mayor do for your city? A consultation". Department for Communities and Local Government. 1 November 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  20. ^ "Unlocking growth in Cities" (PDF). HM Government. December 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  21. ^ "Schedule 1, The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums)(England) Regulations 2012". Legislation.gov.uk. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  22. ^ Colin Rallings, Michael Thrasher (August 2012). "Local Elections in England 2012 (including Mayoral referendums and Greater London Authority elections)" (PDF). Elections Centre, University of Plymouth. Retrieved 22 November 2014. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  23. ^ "Nottingham mayoral referendum 2012: Live coverage from tonight's count". This is Nottingham. 3 May 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  24. ^ "2012 Local Election Results". Sheffield City Council. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  25. ^ "Mayoral Referendum - 3 May 2012 - Result". Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  26. ^ "Birmingham elected mayor's powers to be decided after referendum". Birmingham Post. 16 January 2012.
  27. ^ "Labour's Liam Byrne wants to run for Birmingham mayor". BBC News. 30 March 2012.
  28. ^ "Sir Albert Bore backs Liam Byrne in Birmingham mayor bid". BBC News. 30 March 2012.
  29. ^ "Background to Birmingham's elected mayor referendum". Birmingham Mail. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Will city get an elected mayor?". Telegraph & Argus. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Ilkley should be given vote on Bradford breakaway - MP". Ilkley Gazette. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  32. ^ "Is it time for an elected mayor?". Telegraph and Argus. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  33. ^ a b "'Palpably apathetic' Bristol voters will suffer elected mayor". Bristol 24/7. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  34. ^ "Would an elected mayor for Coventry mean real change?". Coventry Telegraph. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  35. ^ "Mayoral vote a political football in game of two halves". BBC News. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  36. ^ "Coventry City Council opposed to elected mayor". BBC News. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  37. ^ "Referendum on how Coventry City Council is run". Coventry City Council. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  38. ^ Baron, John (14 February 2011). "Council leader hits out at Leeds elected mayor plans". Guardian Leeds. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  39. ^ Lazenby, Peter (8 March 2012). "United they stand". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  40. ^ "Mayoral Referendum results 2012". Leeds City Council. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  41. ^ "Sir Howard Bernstein: An Elected Mayor Is Not For Us". Manchester Confidential. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  42. ^ "Business leaders' open letter says elected mayor would be 'barking mad'". Manchester Evening News. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  43. ^ a b "Leader of Manchester's Liberal Democrats supports vote for elected mayor". Manchester Evening News. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  44. ^ "Manchester split over Boris Johnson-style elected mayor, M.E.N poll finds". Manchester Evening News. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  45. ^ "George Osborne: Greater Manchester to have elected mayor". BBC News. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  46. ^ "Referendum Yes Campaign launched for an elected mayor for Newcastle". A Mayor for Newcastle upon Tyne. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  47. ^ "A new kind of leadership for Newcastle". Newcastle upon Tyne Community First Party. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  48. ^ "Newcastle Gets Democracy and Choice". Guy Opperman. February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  49. ^ "Group formed to campaign for Newcastle elected mayor". The Journal. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  50. ^ "Council chief would run for city's mayor post". The Journal. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  51. ^ "Unknown". Newcastle City Council. Retrieved 18 May 2012.[permanent dead link‍][dead link‍]
  52. ^ "Plan for mayoral referendum". Nottingham Post. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  53. ^ "Directly elected mayor for Nottingham is a 'stupid' idea says city council leader". Nottingham Post. 22 May 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  54. ^ "Nottingham's Elected Mayor Referendum May 2012". Nottingham Liberal Democrats. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  55. ^ "Oops!". Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 2012-05-04.[dead link‍]
  56. ^ "Big Debate: Mayor or may not?". The Star. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  57. ^ a b "Fears mayor could be 'barrier' to investment". Sheffield Telegraph. 7 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  58. ^ "Sheffield mayor campaign gets off the mark". Sheffield Telegraph. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  59. ^ "Bid to rally opposition to elected mayors". Sheffield Telegraph. 30 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  60. ^ "Sheffield City Council - 2012 Local Election Results". Sheffield City Council. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  61. ^ "Council leader would stand if public voted for elected mayor". Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express. 2 February 2012.
  62. ^ "New mayoral post: what does it mean?". Wakefield Express. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  63. ^ "Mayoral Referendum". Wakefield City Council. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
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