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Mayoral referendum: what do people in Knowle think?
With the mayoral referendum just days away, Bristol24/7 is visiting different areas of our city to find out how people will be voting, if they are voting at all.
The question that the referendum on May 5 will be asking is whether Bristol wants to retain the current mayoral model, or replace it with a committee system.
Here is what people in Knowle think:
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Edward Stevens, 77, a retired HGV driver from Knowle
Edward is an undecided voter – photo: Charlie Watts
“I don’t know yet whether I’ll vote in the referendum. I may do, but I haven’t made my mind up.
“It’s very good they’re having it because sometimes you need change.”
Emily Phillips, 28, a sales negotiator from Longwell Green
Emily is a sales negotiator for an estate agents – photo: Charlie Watts
“I don’t mind having a mayor. I don’t mind a bit of authority.
“I really don’t read much into what issues it might be causing.”
Dennis Liddiatt, 72, a retired railway worker from Whitchurch
Dennis wants rid of the mayor – photo: Charlie Watts
“He’s [Marvin Rees] not listening to the people.
“It’s just one person making decisions when you got a full council trying to sort things out.”
Kim Williams, 59, a bar manager from Brislington
Kim works at Snooker City – photo: Charlie Watts
“I will be voting to keep the mayor.
“He’s [Marvin Rees] well-respected and I’ve met him a couple of times.”
Olwen Heland, 32, a full-time mum from Totterdown
Olwen’s son Corbyn is named after the former Labour Party leader – photo: Charlie Watts
“I’ve already voted against having the mayor – even the old mayor’s said one person shouldn’t have that much power.
“There’s quite a lot he [Marvin Rees] can chop and change.”
Daniel Jopling, 34, a publisher from Knowle
Daniel is unsure what the alternative is to a mayoral system – photo: Charlie Watts
“I don’t know how different having a mayor is to not having one.
“I like the idea of having a figure head and a transparency of knowing who is making decisions and having influence.”
Bristol24/7 will be hosting a Twitter Space on Tuesday, May 3 at 7pm where people in favour of retaining the mayoral system and people who want to change to a committee system will be invited to speak
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read more: Mayoral referendum: What do people in Avonmouth think?
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