Why will a Mayor work so well in Plymouth?

There are four big reasons why a Mayor chosen by voters is better, even though it’s just a one for one swap with the position of the Leader who is a councillor chosen by councillors.

• Greater Talent. This is KEY. The Mayor model attracts high calibre candidates. There are many talented leaders in this city who would never stand as councillor, but they would go for the top job directly. This means we get the best leadership over time. Recently, in Birmingham and Coventry (West Midlands), the two leading DEM candidates were a previous senior partner of John Lewis and a current partner of Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC). These proven leaders would never thought of leading their cities if they had to spend years climbing the greasy pole of local politics.
• Economic Growth and jobs. Being more stable (four year term), democratically empowered and highly visible, the Mayor naturally attracts jobs and investment, which we desperately need in Plymouth. Mayors all over the country are attracting investment to their cities. For example, in just two years, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, 42 year old Oliver Coppard, has attracted major investment from Boeing, Ultimate Battery Co., Holtec, and McLaren to Sheffield, and announced the reopening of Doncaster airport.
• Clear responsibility. When the whole of Plymouth chooses their leader directly with tens of thousands of votes, this is a very powerful action. Our chosen leader, irrespective of his/her party or ideology, must carry the burdens of our city. This enormous responsibility has to be shouldered by them for their term of office. In Plymouth, our main problems are twofold: a. our terrible level of poverty, and its effects including VAWG, truancy, health service provision, crime and loss of self esteem. b. The size of our economy at only £7bn GDP (ONS 2024) and GDP/capita at £21,000. This sees businesses continually going bust, no growth in employment, no inbound investment and our children leaving as soon as they can.
• Clear accountability. Mayor candidates have to say exactly what they are aiming to achieve in their four year tenure, making them more accountable. At present, our councillors get elected in their ward, and then one gets chosen by councillors to lead the council. They never have to stand in front of the electorate and actually say what they are going to deliver. If our Mayor does not achieve their objectives, we simply vote them out.