Your say / Politics
‘The people should be the beating heart of the city’
Who runs our city and on whose behalf? The Liberal Democrats believe that the people, their representatives and their communities should be the beating heart of the city.
Instead of just organising parent’s social care or getting local rubbish picked up, taking us forward into solving the bigger issues, with a less party-political approach.
These last few years have seen people feel less like they have control over their lives and what goes on in their neighbourhood and in their city. Local councillors, that person we know who represents us and our area, have been frequently side-lined by mayors.
is needed now More than ever
As a result, the decisions made for our city have become less and less representative of the views of the people that live here. No matter what councillors say or do, every decision comes down to one man and his expensive, personal political office. No wonder people feel so alienated.
We want decision-making to be evidence-based, transparent and accountable to the people affected. Our vision is for an open council, free from party-political backbiting, free from the smoke and mirrors of spin and counter-claim. We want to encourage pragmatic decision making, cooperation and consensus.
The mayoral system is not set up like this. It’s designed to make it simpler for Westminster to deal with, and dictate to, the engines of wealth creation. The very position of mayor, by its culture of centralised control and personality politics, makes it almost impossible for whoever holds the position not to fall into the traps. The fault isn’t with the title-holders, but with the system itself.
Lib Dems demand better for Bristol. We want to see power shared throughout our city so that you and your neighbours have a real say over what happens in your area.
Anthony Negus argues that power should be shared in Bristol
We think Bristol should grow its corporate strength from its grassroots. It should thrive on the energy and commitment that flows from a fairer distribution of opportunities and shared purpose and vision. This should be a city that is confident enough to encourage its citizens to become a part of the process, not told later on what is good for them.
At the next mayoral and council elections, the Liberal Democrats will be committing to holding a referendum on whether or not to abolish the mayor at the first opportunity in 2022. We believe that this will create a new dynamic that will allow shared values of fairness, individual freedom, internationalism, positive solutions and a sustainable future.
Where we stand as a city and find our place in the world should come from the combined resource of our citizens energising a fairer and more democratic system.
We also want a fair voting system in Bristol, so local champions can be elected on merit and so a greater breadth of opinion can be represented.
Making sweeping changes to almost everything this city did was necessary to secure Bristol’s status as European Green Capital, when our achievements were watched by the world.
All this, and much more, was achieved by a more accessible system under the Lib Dems, before a new mayoral system separated the very top of the pyramid from its citizens. Cooperative, democratic and fair. This is how our local government should work for you. Join us and help us demand better for Bristol.
Anthony Negus argues Bristol deserves better
Anthony Negus is leader of the Liberal Democrat group and a councillor for Cotham.
Read more: ‘Bristol’s independent mayoral role has been corrupted and politically highjacked’
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