My first year as elected mayor

摘要

The Government's campaign to roll out directly-elected mayors has not been a conspicuous success despite the Prime Minister's enthusiastic backing. Last year referendums were held in ten cities about whether or not to have a mayoral system and only one voted in favour. That city was Bristol but the result proved to be a minister's dream for here was a council with a history of feverish party politics which had for years punched below its weight. When the mayoral elections were held in November 2012 the anticipated Labour victory was upset in a surprise win by an independent with no party and little political experience but an abiding enthusiasm for all things Bristolian. It perhaps explains why George Ferguson, the elected mayor of Bristol who came into office on 19 November last year, finds the corridors of power so accessible. He is in regular contact with cities minister Greg Clark as well as No. 10.