Clock is ticking on elected mayor vote

Mar 1 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

THE clock today started ticking for council leader Mike Whitby to tell the people of Birmingham if he will allow them to decide how the city is run.

The Tory leader has been given a ten-day ultimatum to say whether or not he will call a binding referendum on elected mayors.

If he declines to answer the question directly, then the Birmingham Mail will look into launching a petition of 36,000-plus Birmingham voters to legally force one.

Various organisations around the city have backed demands for the people to be given the right to decide, rather than leave it to the 120 councillors.

Andrew Crossley, of Birmingham Citizens, a coalition of inner-city community groups, including churches, mosques, temples, residents associations and unions, said: "We would be delighted if Coun Whitby voluntarily called a referendum.

"We strongly feel that the people should decide this issue. If not, we will be meeting on March 20 to vote on a campaign for a referendum through a petition."

Labour leader Sir Albert Bore said: "Mike Whitby is so opposed to the idea of a directly-elected mayor he won't put the issue before the residents because he is not confident he can win the debate.

"Some members of the Labour Party disagree with my view on elected mayors, but we all agree we should have this debate in public and in a referendum."

Birmingham's largest business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has also backed the poll.

Head of Policy Charlotte Ritchie said: "We are in favour as people are informed and educated about what an elected mayor would mean for Birmingham."

Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson said: "The electorate voted in favour of mayors in a 'consultative' poll six years ago, but their views were ignored.

"The Government nearly forced the council to hold a binding referendum, but thanks to high-level lobbying the issue was allowed to remain fudged.

"Now that new legislation is pending regarding elected mayors, this newspaper feels it crucial that the council acts democratically and allows the people to decide."