VICTORY in Bristol, Victory in Sheffield: Now We Need Victory in Somerset for The Modern Committee System

 

Scrapped Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees (right)
Photo: BBC

 

The people of Bristol have voted to scrap the Mayor of Bristol, in a victory for democracy over tyranny.

Despite a loud and dishonest campaign by Bristol Labour, spearheaded by Darren Jones MP (left), the count overnight showed that a clear majority of Bristol people wanted to scrap the post held by Labour's Marvin Rees.

The "It's Our City" campaign in Bristol followed the successful campaign by our friends and colleagues in Sheffield, also called "It's Our City".

Why is this relevant to Somerset?

Because Somerset Independents has been campaigning for Somerset's councils to change to a Modern Committee System too.

Last June, when the district councils conducted their flawed poll to force Somerset residents to choose between two buckets of manure - proven failure versus potential disaster - one failed system versus another failed system - we denounced their poll and suggested that Somerset should have a Modern Committee System in the current and any future councils.

The district councils' poll was not the YES/NO Referendum that residents deserved to have and which Somerset Independents campaigned for.

Instead, the Conservative Government led by Boris Johnson were aided and abetted by Conservative Councillors in Somerset, especially Conservative County Council Leader David Fothergill. There was weak opposition by the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour.

We know why the opposition was weak - because these Westminster parties put the interests of themselves and their parties first. They calculate that they will gain from the New Somerset Council. The Lib Dems even feel that they can control it - today, we will know.

The Conservatives imposed their unitary authority on Somerset, against the wishes of residents who voted in 2007 82% against any such changes.

Andrew Pope, Leader of Somerset Independents, says:

Andrew Pope, Leader of Somerset Independents

"Congratulations to It's Our City Bristol and It's Our City Sheffield. They have led remarkable campaigns. 

Today, the results of the elections to this New Somerset Council will be announced.

So Somerset Independents wants to see this New Somerset Council to be a Modern Committee System.

There is a danger that there will be moves for it to have an Elected Mayor.

There is a danger that it will have a "Strong Leader" and Cabinet, which has failed Somerset already.

The people of Bristol and Sheffield have rejected the Mayor and the failed "Strong Leader" model that has failed Somerset for too long.

Somerset must have a Modern Committee System.

Residents will say No to an Elected Mayor.

Residents will say No to the "Strong Leader" and Cabinet.

Residents will say Yes to a democratic system where all councillors can represent the voice of the people that they are there to represent.

We know that councillors at Somerset West and Taunton Council  resolved to support a Modern Committee System in April 2021. 

We will be holding them and the elected New Somerset Council councillors to account, to ensure that they deliver it for the people of Somerset.

The work must start immediately, and according to answers we have obtained from SWT Council, the New Council is supposed to be considering the matter in May 2022."