Little support for elected mayor

According to the survey conducted by the Southwark News not only are all other Labour councillors against a change but the entire Liberal and Conservative
opposition is also opposed. The consitutional change proposed by central government would mean abolishing the post of the traditional non party
political mayor in favour an American-style mayor with sweeping powers.

Meanwhile many Southwark residents, unaware that the government has forced a referendum on the matter, have been wondering why they have received a poll
card in the post. Voting takes pace on Thursday 31 January.

Although postal vote application forms are being sent out this weekend the last day for applications to be made is next Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Council has been swamped with phone calls from residents wanting to know what the referendum is all about. Deputy Liberal Leader Cllr Ruth Bright has warned that some people may be confused by talk of the Euro referendum.

According to a spokesperson in Whitehall, Southwark Council is wrong to claim that the subject of the referendum cannot by law be printed on the poll card. The word 'mayoral' could have been included says a government statement.

Labour Party members, including many opposed to a change and the expense of a poll, are meeting this Saturday to debate the future role of Southwark's
mayor.
• www.southwark.gov.uk/involved/referendum.htm