From Bristol 24-7 http://www.bristol247.com
The independent candidate for Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, believes an elected mayor can bring about an “extraordinary transformation” of the city.
He promised more than 200 people at a rally last night that he would take “brave measures” to deal with issues surrounding the environment, education and housing.
He vowed not to criticise his fellow candidates during the campaign and insisted he would bring the best talents from across the political divide.
Despite saying he would not be producing a manifesto, he mooted the idea of reducing the speed limit on the M32 to 30mph in a bid to improve air quality.
And in a bid to gain support from key staff working at the Council House, he promised a one-month amnesty for them to tell him their grievances and outline what it was about the authority that prevented them doing their jobs more effectively.
“Bristol is special, we know that, but does the world know that? One of the prime jobs for a leader is to make sure that the rest of the world comes to Bristol, and invests here in a useful way,” he said at the meeting in the circus big top near Temple Meads station.
“But it is a disconnected city – a city of villages glued together. Some don’t feel part of Bristol and there is too much of a feeling of them and us.”
Defending his idea of renaming County Hall to City Hall, he added: “County Hall is a mini-Westminster which gives councillors an over-inflated sense of their position. The council belongs to us not them.
“We need to change the culture of government so that we can use all the talents of our city. Good councillors sit in silos we call political parties, not able to contribute in a creative way. An independent mayor can bring together the talents of all sides.
“Being a mayor is about managing a team, inspiring the city, and making sure that every city in the world is talking about Bristol and the extraordinary transformation in this city. I need you all to help make that happen.”
The crowd were largely supportive of the red-trousered candidate, with only one person attempting to heckle the speech.
Meanwhile, it emerged last night that the former boss of what is now Bristol News & Media, owners of The Post and Western Daily Press newspapers, has been named as Mr Ferguson’s campaign manager.
