News / Politics

Marvin Rees to be quizzed by David Olusoga at Bristol Beacon

By Benji Chapman  Thursday Feb 22, 2024

Marvin Rees will be making his final major speech as mayor at a free event at the Bristol Beacon in March where he will be appearing on stage with broadcaster and historian David Olusoga.

The outgoing mayor says that he will be “reflecting on leading my home city for eight years”.

Rees’ second term as Bristol’s directly elected mayor will come to an end on May 2 when the city’s mayoral system will also be replaced by a committee model of governance.

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Rees had hoped to secure the nomination of Labour members to become candidate for the newly created constituency of Bristol North East, but he was beaten by Damien Egan, the newly elected MP for Kingswood.

The South Glos resident has not yet revealed plans for what he will do after he leaves City Hall.

BBC Two documentary Statue Wars, an hour-long documentary which followed Rees and his mayor’s office team in the period after the toppling of the Edward Colston statue, was made by Olusoga’s former production company, Uplands TV.

Olusoga has spoken of his admiration for Rees, who was previously a journalist.

The event featuring Rees and Olusoga is taking place at the Lantern Hall at the Bristol Beacon on the evening of March 13.

As well as reflecting on his two mayoral terms, Rees will also speak about “the challenges which we face now and in the future”.

The mayor will be introduced by Olusoga, with the pair then in conversation before taking audience questions.

This event will also feature a new poem from city poet Kat Lyons looking at how our city has changed since Rees was first elected mayor in 2016.

For more information and tickets to the event, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marvin-rees-in-conversation-with-david-olusoga-tickets-847126517217

Main photos: BBC & Bristol City Council

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