Former council leader believes elected mayor would now be right for Plymouth

FORMER Plymouth City Council leader Patrick Nicholson is urging residents to back a directly elected Mayor structure in this week's referendum.

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The Independent councillor said it is time Plymouth had a leader chosen by the people and not just a handful of councillors, having seen what elected mayors have done for other cities around the UK.

He said: "Why should Plymouth miss out on the opportunity of having a single voice that isn't tied by the views of councillors but is endorsed by the wider population of Plymouth, which now stands at over 260,000 people.

"The option of having a Mayor was first considered around 2000/2001. And I certainly, as the then leader of the Council, really was of the view that introducing Mayors into local democracy and in Plymouth and the UK was inappropriate.

"But what we have seen since then is a plethora of Mayors elected across the country and how they take that opportunity in the role to project their local communities at a national stage and a regional stage.

"I think it's important to recognise what's happened over the last 20 years and actually to encourage people in the city to consider change and to back the Mayor proposal on the 17th of July. That's why I've changed my view. That's why I'm urging people to support the Mayoral option and to use their vote on the 17th of July."

Councillor Nicholson, who has been a Councillor for Plympton St Mary for over 30 years, said Plymouth has been stuck in neutral for too long and that so many of the city's aspirations have not been realised.