Plans for an elected mayor in Bristol come under the spotlight at a public debate this evening with both sides of the argument being aired.
The event, organised by the University of Bristol, will address the issues around the proposal for a Boris Johnson-style leader to run the city.
Bristolians have the chance to vote for or against an elected mayor in a referendum on May 3 – a result which could spark the beginning of the biggest upheaval to local democracy since the dissolution of Avon County Council in 1996.
The Bristol University debate takes place in the Conference Hall of Bristol City Council at 7pm.
Broadcaster Chris Serle will chair the debate with panellists including:
- Professor Alex Marsh, Professor of Public Policy in the university’s School for Policy Studies
- Mark Weston, Conservative councillor for Henbury and Deputy Leader of the Bristol Conservative Party
- George Ferguson CBE, owner and founder of Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatre, and former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects
- Deborah Hallett, strategy consultant and recent adviser to the London Development Agency
- Barbara Janke, Liberal Democrat leader of Bristol City Council
Audience members have been invited to submit questions in advance and will be given the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the debate using hand held devices.
Doors open at 6.30pm and the event begins at 7pm. Attendance is free but booking is required online: bristolmayordebate.eventbrite.co.uk.
For further information or to submit a question contact Amanda Edmondson by email: cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk or at 0117 331 8313. Please submit your question together with your full name, email address, phone number and home postcode.
This joint event is organised by the University of Bristol, the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts [RSA], Bristol Festival of Ideas, and the Bristol branch of the Institute of Directors.
