B&NES Labour councillors have welcomed the news this week that North East Somerset’s Conservative MP, Jacob Rees Mogg, as well as the B&NES Liberal Democrat group, have joined them in lobbying the Government for a referendum on the Metro Mayor element of Devolution.
Labour leaders across the West of England wrote collectively to call upon the minister in charge of the European Referendum, Oliver Letwin MP, to allow for an indicative ballot to ask people in the region whether they agree to a Metro Mayor system as part of the proposed Devolution deal. However, they have not yet received a reply from the minister, but have received confirmation from Bath MP, Ben Howlett, that he would not support their call.
Labour has continued to push for a democratic ballot, following the overwhelming rejection of a district Mayor System in B&NES. The group expressed their relief that the Conservative administration were now taking on board the concerns around the Mayor, and were pleased that the Conservatives had put forward a motion for council to note their objection to the government forcing a Metro Mayor on the region.
However Labour say they felt this did not go far enough, so put forward an amendment calling for a referendum to be held in the event that the Government would not bend on this element. The amendment, however, was defeated by the Conservative administration.
Councillor Robin Moss, (Labour, Westfield) said: “We welcome plans to devolve power and money from Government to local decision makers, but have concerns about the need for this to be governed by a Metro Mayor.
“The District Mayor results in B&NES give us some indication about how the
public feel about mayoral systems, and it’s important their views are taken on board by the Government. That is why we have called for an indicative ballot, with no extra cost to the taxpayer. It is disappointing that the Conservatives felt unable to vote for this amendment, which would have safeguarded residents’ democratic rights.”
Speaking to The Journal this week, Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “As the voters rejected a Mayor for B&NES overwhelmingly, it would be an affront to democracy if a Mayor of Avon were foist upon them.”