News / Politics
Ferguson sacks cabinet member Bradshaw
Assistant mayor Mark Bradshaw has been sacked by mayor George Ferguson who accused him of ‘playing party politics’ in his cabinet.
The two clashed during a cabinet meeting where Ferguson said he took his comments with a “large pinch of salt” in light of Bradshaw’s wish to stand against him in the mayoral elections.
Bradshaw is one of two possible Labour candidates to face Ferguson in next May’s election, it was announced two weeks ago.
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He opposed Ferguson’s decision to sell Bristol Port at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday night.
He said he was concerned about the value of the sale and the implications for the council’s 12.5 per cent share in the Bristol Port Company.
Ferguson accused Bradshaw of changing his mind – having previously supported the sale – adding that he takes his new objections with a pinch of salt.
Bradshaw said he was “taken aback” after being sacked by email hours after the meeting.
Ferguson said on Wednesday morning that there is “no place for playing politics” in his cabinet.
“Mark has always been a very able and committed member of my cabinet and I appreciate all the work he’s done,” he said.
“However, unfortunately, while he’s jostling for position to become Labour’s mayoral candidate he’s suddenly become driven by partisanship and is using his cabinet position for his own political ends.
“I have always made it clear that I am very happy to embrace different views and even to have genuine open disagreement, but there’s no place for party politics in my cabinet.
“I’m disappointed that he chose to u-turn on this issue giving me no previous warning. It was unprofessional and is a return to the discredited politics of the past.
“I’ve fought hard to make Bristol an outward facing administration that puts the city’s best interests first.
“As a result Bristol is a rising star in the national and international firmament and it would be damaging to return to the days of dead-end party politics that ensures nothing gets done.”
Simon Cook will take over the Place brief while Geoff Gollop will take on Cook’s Business Change brief, while maintaining his role as deputy mayor.