Reports coming in that Labour dominated Middlesbrough Council are to follow their comrades example in Hartlepool and vote on holding a referendum on the future of the directly elected mayors position.
At least in Hartlepool there was obvious public support for a referendum. It seems that the self serving socialists in Middlesbrough are doing it off their own back.
I wonder how the newly appointed Barry Coppinger will react to that? Mr Mallon was the one directly responsible for him getting the job, and is an out and out Labour Supporter flying the banner as an Independent Mayor.
Now where have I heard that before!!!!
Also when Iian Wright was put up for election Mr Mallon came to Hartlepool to give his support, so it looks like he no longer wishes to tow the Labour party line and they want rid of him.
Politics is a dirty business someone once said.
Nothing changes only for the worse it would seem.
Mallon announced months ago that he wouldn't be standing again for Mayor and he supports the proposed referendum on the grounds that after 10 years of an elected Mayor the public should be allowed to decide if they want to continue with it or not. He thinks that they should but also recognises that the public should be given the choice.
With any luck, the people of Middlesbrough will take a look at what's happening in Hartlepool post elected Mayor and decide to keep total control out of the hands of the local Polit Buro.
I suspect it may be more complex than that and that Mallon will have ideas of becoming Police Commissioner himself next time around and don't be surprised if the present Coppinger is not himself averse to the idea of Mallon as Commissioner.
Quote from: SRMoore on April 04, 2013, 08: AM
At least in Hartlepool there was obvious public support for a referendum. It seems that the self serving socialists in Middlesbrough are doing it off their own back.
Only 15% of voters bothered to voice an opinion during that referendum. Clearly there is a huge difference between signing a petition and voting in a referendum. Makes you wonder how real that support was.
Mallon can hardly be a suitable candidate for any part of Cleveland Police after all he admitted a number of very serious charges against him.
Whether you agree or not with the findings it is still not the role for someone of his ilk, knowing full well he could be and indeed was accountable for actions that led to him being dismissed.
But after recent events at Cleveland Police & Defunct C.P. Authority then anything is possible.
You have to place that in the context that he was elected mayor after admitting to all of that. I hear what you are saying but normal rules don't seem to apply when it comes to Cleveland Police. It's come to something when the Police's own activities end up being included in their own crime figures. :o