Mayor vs committee: What do Bristolians think?

Bristolians will be heading to the polls in two weeks.

The mayoral referendum on May 5 offers the city a choice of keeping an elected mayor or returning to the committee system of governance.

It comes after Bristol councillors passed a motion by 41 votes to 24 to hold a referendum on whether to abolish the mayoral system in December 2021. Since then, fervent political campaigns have launched promoting both ballot tick-boxes.

Debate around democracy, scrutiny, accountability, visibility and stability are being voiced by councillors and political figures in the city, but what do the citizens of Bristol think, and how do they plan on voting?

With the referendum just around the corner, Bristol24/7 spoke to the people with the power to decide whether to retain the mayoral model or return to a committee system.

Smith said the role of a city mayor is “redundant”

Marcus Smith, a 35-year-old creative, said: “I was really up for the mayor initially in the first referendum. I thought it would stop all the drama and infighting in the council, and among councillors and get some decisions made.

“But over the last 10 years, things have changed. We now have a regional mayor, Dan Norris, for the West of England … so I feel like the Bristol mayor has become redundant.”

He added: “Processes may have happened slower than the old system, but more people felt involved and had input in decisions. Whereas now, what do councillors do? What are they there for?”

Manassieva is 35 and a receptionist

Gergana Manassieva echoed these concerns, arguing a committee system would be better because “two heads are better than one”.

She added: “The more viewpoints and insights and opinions you get, the wiser I think. We should live collectively, together.

“I understand the figure of the mayor and I’m not slating Marvin Rees – I think he’s very personable.

“But there is a danger of being in your own echo chamber. Conversation and debate is good, and I think a lot of people involved in decision making is a good thing.”

But Daniel Hucker, 49, was in favour of the mayoral model.

The University of Bristol researcher told Bristol24/7: “With this referendum, I haven’t exactly heard people in the streets saying ‘Oh, I know what we need, a mayoral referendum’.

“But to me, Marvin Rees is ambitious and he’s got lots on his agenda, which I don’t mind as he does a good job at the same time.

“I think the mayor has a very positive presence in Bristol and seems very engaged in fighting Bristol’s corner.

Hucker added: “I’m inclined at this stage to keep the mayoral system. I remember what it was like before the mayoral system, there was just never any clear winner and it was just constant deadlock.

“So this way, if you have a mayoral system, it’s not this balance of power between different groups, and that seems to me to be more productive.

Crowder said that the referendum in May is about accountability, representation and power

Mary Crowder, 66, spoke of the imbalance of power wrapped up in having a mayor.

The retired nurse from Windmill Hill said: “I don’t agree with the system where the casting vote has the final say. That role can override anything that the majority might want – their ultimate say is everything.

“A committee system is a lot fairer and more representative, and it has to take in the majority. It’s not just one person who could swing it in their direction.”

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Read more: ‘Marvin has served as an inspiration and role model for many’

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Tucker explained why he won’t be voting in the mayoral referendum

Others were less informed of the vote happening in spring.

William Tucker, a 23-year-old barista, said: “I only know about the referendum in passing. I know that something’s happening but I’m not planning on voting. It’s just sort of passed me by so I don’t really know anything about it and I don’t feel informed enough to make a decision.

He added: “I don’t get the impression that it’s going to make a significant difference to my life.”

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Read more: ‘Bristol needs a commitment to collaboration’

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Sharda, a tennis coach, said that having an elected mayor can enhance visible city leadership

But Ravi Sharda, 23, highlighted the importance of visibility that comes with having a mayor.

The tennis coach commented: “I think it’s important to have inspirational people in prominent roles like the mayoral one for representation for people and Bristol as a city.”

Pemrose questioned what has been achieved through the mayoral model in the last 10 years

Shakira Pemrose was, on balance, in favour of a committee system.

She said: “I did like the previous mayor, George Ferguson. Living in Bedminster, we saw a huge change to the area driven by his regeneration plans. But it feels like there’s been a lot of development in the city that hasn’t been completely thought-out since Rees.”

The 35-year-old civil servant added: “I come from Manchester originally and we’ve got Andy Burnham, who has been so passionate about the city and levelling up and reducing inequality in the city. But, I can’t really see that same level of change and passion though Bristol having a mayor.”

All photos: Betty Woolerton

Read more:

• ‘We should talk about what we need to build not burn down’ 
• ‘Bristol is ours, it’s not for mayor to do whatever they want’
• ‘Bristol needs to have a mayor – but not one who has two second jobs’

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