Councillor wants elected Mayor "coalition"

On Monday’s blog, we highlighted the call in a letter to a local paper from Councillor Jim Blaylock to support the idea of an elected mayor for Boston, rather than continue with the present system where the council is run by the leader of the controlling party - but with even more draconian powers.
Oddly, given the politically controversial nature of the letter, which in effect was a condemnation of the present leader, Councillor Richard “Papa Dick” Austin, Councillor Blaylock neglected to indicate that he was an elected representative - presumably as a form of damage limitation. Not only that but he is also a cabinet member, which makes him a member of the eight-strong glee club that has been responsible for so much of the incompetence and ineptitude we associated with the Bypass Independents’ Party, and therefore a voice to be heard.
Hos call has prompted an enthusiastic response from Conservative Councillor Myles Larrington, who represents the Pilgrim Ward.
He told Boston Eye: Firstly, I would like to recognise the importance of Councillor Blaylock raising this important issue, which, in my view, extends beyond mere party politics.
“Councillors have a fundamental choice to make here – who do we want to be the kingmakers – politicians or people?
“Let us for a moment consider the facts:
Since Boston Borough Council was founded, no member of the public has ever had the opportunity to elect a leader of the council.
“This has, by default, always been the prerogative of the Cabinet. In other words, councillors handing out jobs to other councillors.
“This has also resulted in a severe lack of accountability.
“When we consider some of the worse policies to come out of Boston Borough Council (i.e. the Princess Royal Sports Arena, Haven Gallery, proposed closure of the training pool) all were originally approved and determined by members of the Cabinet.
“This lack of accountability comes from the fact that voters elect a ward representative, rather than being given a chance to vote on the leader – and thereby a vote on a four year programme for Boston as a whole.
“This is compounded by the fact that, under the current system, the leader is dependent on the support of the Cabinet – rather than the people.
“Although I agree with you that a number of issues have arisen from the BBI’s running of Boston Borough Council, it is not just the BBI who are against the idea of an elected mayor.
“Indeed, I would suggest a majority of the opposition is also likely to be against this.
“ In the end, I believe this issue transcends political parties. It is about those who wish to give more power and accountability to the people of Boston – and those who don’t.
“I am willing to work with anybody in any party that will support this change.
“I support Councillor Blaylock, and hope that those of us in favour of a change can form a ‘coalition’ of like-minded councillors, willing to put principal before patronage.
“The only councillors who defend the old system, in my view do so because they realise they would not be elected under the proposed new system – which I think is wrong.
“Why shouldn’t the person who wishes to run the borough have to put themselves to vote of the people of the town?
“I believe having an elected mayor would put someone with a real mandate in charge of the council. “It would bring an end to ‘officer-led’ initiatives, and bring real accountability back to decision making. “I suggest that we need to work together to outvote those on the council who would simply work to preserve ‘jobs for the boys’.
“That is why I’m all in favour of what Councillor Blaylock is doing.”


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