the crook, the toff, the cop, the fascist
London is probably the most well known instance of a directly elected mayor and it might be contended that the array of self publicists who sought election to the role earlier this year is argument enough not to go down the same road. Mansfield District Council is also among the select group of 12 councils who have an elected mayor. If Notts does implement such a system it will be the first county council in the country to do so.
Proponents of the arrangement make a great deal of the democratic benefits. Tony Egginton is the mayor of Mansfield District Council. An independent he claims that the arrangement gives the public "somebody who is directly responsible". He asserts: "I am elected by the people for the people. I don't look in to a party – I look out to the people. People are fed up with political parties. It is about filling that democratic gap." (The fact that it might be politicians, as much as the parties in which they tend to coalesce, which people are fed up with doesn't appear to have occurred to him.)
Critics contend, however that they system actually undermines democracy, allowing decisions to be made by small groups or individuals with minimal accountability. It shouldn't be greatly surprising then that a number of corporations seeking to get their dirty hands on taxpayers money are keen on the idea. Nick Cohen notes that leading proponent of elected mayors has been the New Local Government Network which includes the likes of "Onyx, Serco, MORI, Nord Anglia Education plc and many other commercial beneficiaries of privatisation and council contracts" amongst its corporate sponsors.
Cohen explains, "Many of the Network's sponsors know precisely what they are about. In evidence to MPs, Capita plc, which takes over council services, eulogised mayors and cabinets. The private sector loved the new hierarchies because 'it helps if the leader is able to commit the council and have control over his or her group'. Debates in old-fashioned committees in front of members of the public who might raise objections about a company's environmental and employment records or unsatisfactory performance in the past can be bad for business."
When Nottinghamshire residents were last consulted on the matter in 2001 they voted against an elected mayor, with 43% in favour of a leader and cabinet (the current system); 25% favouring an elected mayor and cabinet; and 28% supporting a mayor and manager.
The latest consultation will take place between October 27th to November 10th with results being presented to full council on December 4th. Apparently you can express your own opinion by phoning 08449 808080, emailing Jayne.Francis@nottscc.gov.uk, by returning slips printed in newspapers or by writing to the council.
SchNEWS, Town Whores
http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news270.htm
Nick Cohen, Behind Closed Doors
http://www.newstatesman.com/200006120006