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Democracy?

(5 Posts)
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Barrow Mon 26-Nov-12 18:59:58

The people of Bristol recently elected a Mayor. Sick of the usual party politics they elected an independent who has already done much within the city. George Ferguson (the new Mayor) said he wanted to use the best people on the Council to serve in his cabinet. He offered one seat each to the Liberals, Conservative and Green parties and the remaining three seats to the local Labour party. First the local Labour party said they would not take up these seats but following a phone in on local radio when people made it plain they were unhappy with this decision the local Labour party had a meeting and by a very small majority decided to take the three seats after all.

They have now been over-ruled by the national Labour party in London and instructed they are not to serve Bristol by taking up George Ferguson's offer.

How is this democracy when some people in London can over-rule their own members in Bristol but also go against the wishes of many of the people of Bristol

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nanaej Tue 27-Nov-12 16:07:15

Oh dear! Sounds like a case of 'It's not my game so I am not playing'

Think the paid up members of the local Labour party plus those who voted Labour ought to write to Labour HQ saying what they want!

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POGS Tue 27-Nov-12 21:31:18

Barrow

Why did he offer only 1 seat to the Libs and Tories and 3 to L abour. Was that his choice as he felt they were the better candidates?

What a strange thing for Labour to do. Sounds like they are throwing their dummies out of the pram to me. Not surprised.

Perhaps the good folk of 'Brissol' should remember their snub at the next voting time. Hardly putting the citizens first are they?

He by contrast sounds a decent chap, hope he thinks twice next time about his choice though, sounds as if he needs to.

Much love to Bristol my old stomping ground in the 60's and 70's.

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vampirequeen Wed 28-Nov-12 10:18:46

This is happening near where I live too. It's to do with how the seats should be shared. I think it's to do with the population of an area. So if a Conservative run area is small it gets one seat but if the Labour run area is bigger it gets two seats. Some of the Police Commissioners are trying to change it and it seems in both areas it's to the detriment of the Labour members so they're refusing to serve. In this area the Lib Dem member has walked out in support of the Labour members so it's not just the Labour members who are unhappy.

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Barrow Wed 28-Nov-12 14:46:01

He offered seats on his cabinet to reflect the proportion of votes each party got. Labour were his closest rivals so they were offered 3 seats.

The leader of the local Labour party as resigned as leader but is still a member of the party. In my opinion they should defy the grandees in London and take up the seats.

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