Bristol entrepreneur George Ferguson was already a very familiar face around Bristol before winning the mayoral election.
He had already changed the face of the city, opening the Tobacco Factory and helping regenerate North Street in Southville as well as The Canteen in Stokes Croft and improving the Harbourside area.
But throughout the campaign there was hardly an event – whether political, cultural or community-focused, that he did not attend. Even last Friday evening, the first night away from the hustings he had had for weeks, he could be seen 
at the launch of Watershed’s pioneering Afrika Eye film festival.
Few people in the city’s cultural and artistic scene do not know him – and he is likely to have garnered much of his support from the city’s thriving creative industries as well as the more traditionally mainstream voters from the leafier suburbs. Even the two remaining members of Bristol Sound pioneers Massive Attack – hardly mainstream in their political views – backed him recently.
As a businessman and Merchant Venturer – although he promised to resign from this historic organisation if elected – Mr Ferguson is also known among the city’s business organisations.
The red-trousered architect registered his party solely for this election – Bristol 1st, which he said he intends to now disband. He ploughed more than £40,000 into his campaign.
Only once during the campaign did he not wear his trademark crimson strides – when he went to the blue half of the city to watch Bristol Rovers.
Ferguson’s Top 5 election issues From Bristol 24-7 www.bristol247.com
- Transport – creation of integrated transport authority, introduction of Bristol Freedom Pass and revoke Sunday parking charges across the city
- Culture – celebrate and embrace diversity with improved access to sporting and entertainment facilities, including building an arena in the Temple Quarter, encourage street parties and festivals and create great public spaces
- Council – end to political squabbling based on party politics, introduction of one Deputy Mayor and five assistant mayors as well as two youth mayors
- Jobs – increase training opportunities for young people, boost business opportunities in the city with renewable energy, sporting and culture facilities, and champion Bristol to the world as a city ‘open for business’
- Housing – build more affordable houses, while protecting the green belt
Ferguson’s personal statement for the election From Bristol 24-7 www.bristol247.com
My only purpose is to make Bristol, the city I love, a better city for all. I have no political ambition beyond Bristol where I have chosen to work and live for 47 years. We may live in the best city in Britain but it has been held back by politics and party bickering. As your independent mayor I promise to put Bristol 1st and to champion it across the world. I will work with you to regenerate the pride in Bristol and its people, which has been undermined by years of political squabbling. Together we can make real change happen and give Bristol the strong decisive leadership it needs.
