Key questions posed to Mayor for Plymouth bid

CAMPAIGN ANSWERS SOME OF MOST-ASKED QUESTIONS

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

WITH a referendum just days away, the campaign for an elected mayor for Plymouth has faced some tough questions. The A Mayor For Plymouth campaign has made many bold statements on its social media posts saying that Plymouth can achieve everything from a reopened airport to having an Ikea store in the city.

But the campaign has repeatedly stressed it is not backing any candidate or party, should the referendum go in its favour and an election be held.

So how can it be confident who will stand for a mayor and what that person would campaign on, let alone be able to deliver, should a “yes” vote be returned by a majority of those voting on July 17?

So, The Herald asked the A Mayor for Plymouth campaign, fronted by wealthy businessman Angus Forbes, a series of questions. And this is what the campaigners had to say:

Does the A Mayor for Plymouth campaign, or Angus Forbes, or anyone else associated with the campaign plan to back a candidate or stand as a candidate should the referendum result in a “yes” vote?

The A Mayor for Plymouth campaign has been completely clear that the campaign group ceases to exist after the referendum and as a group we will not be backing a candidate. No member of the campaign group, including sponsor Angus Forbes, has indicated any plans to back a candidate.

The website says there could be two independents and a “new party” standing, if a “yes” vote is secured. Who are these independents and what is the new party?