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Bristol’s Council House will be renamed Bristol City Hall if George Ferguson is elected as mayor, the independent candidate said today.
Mr Ferguson said the symbolic name change would reflect the idea that the building is owned by the people, rather than the council.
The announcement comes in advance of an event next Wednesday at the big top tent near Temple Meads station when he will invite the people of Bristol to tell him what their priorities are for the city.
“My aim is to make everyone in Bristol feel included in the governance of the city. As an independent mayor who puts Bristol first in all decision making, I shall be answerable to the people of Bristol in contrast to a party candidate who will always be answerable to his or her party,” he said.
“Bristol has voted for change – I offer that freedom from the party games that have plagued Bristol’s governance. Bristol deserves something better – we do not want more of the same in a different guise.
“As an important symbol of change – it is my intention to rename The Council House, which implies that it belongs to the Council, to that of Bristol City Hall which belongs to the people. It is significant that Bristol’s council decided to claim ‘The Council House’ for itself when most great English cities have a Town Hall or City Hall that is seen as belonging to the city.”
Next Wednesday, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, the red-trousered architect will be hosting what he describes as “a good old fashioned political rally” which will include the launch of a campaign song written and donated by Bristol singer and supporter Sarah Menage.
The announcement comes a day after it emerged Labour candidate Marvin Rees has become the bookies’ favourite to become Bristol’s first elected mayor.
The vote takes place on November 15. Bristol was the only city in Britain to vote ‘yes’ in a referendum in May to have an elected mayor.
