Thread by @Andrewwood17

Petition to hold a referendum to replace the ‘Directly Elected Mayor’ in Tower Hamlets
change.org/towerhamletsma…
Some of you may have seen a petition advertised on the Council website to replace the current Directly Elected Mayor model with a Cabinet & Leader model
I and others
1/

think that petition is incomplete & does not consider other options available, including the Committee system which I think preferable
But you as residents need to be involved in making that decision, which needs to start by explaining the different options, pro's & con's
2/

There are four different ways of governing;
a. Mayor directly elected - holds all power
b. Leader and cabinet - leader elected by Councillors, hold all power (maybe)
c. Committee - Councillors decide
d. Hybrid - different combinations of above possible
cfgs.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
3/

There are a number of organisations that could help in that process, explaining the different options, how they work, how other parts of London use different models
@LGAcomms
@CfGScrutiny based in Mansell St E1
@MileEndInst
@OnLondon
And Newham are ahead of us in this
4/

process, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz set up an independent Democracy and Civic Participation Commission in 2019
newhamdemocracycommission.org
to look at wider democracy issues ahead of their own referendum next year
We need to copy her & have similar process before a vote
5/

I am also not convinced that Leader & Cabinet model is the right solution
In May 2010, with little debate, no public information, and amid the confusion of national & local elections 60% of people voted for an alternative choice suggesting dissatisfaction with the old model
6/

I also think the petition on Council website to vote on 6th May 2021 is too quick, need more time to look at alternatives
democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDis…
+ will lead to confusion over multiple ballot papers (up to 5)
& we need a proper civic debate separate to party political campaign
7/

So the new petition asks for:
a. that we also consider the Committee system as a possible replacement
b. that the vote is on a separate day from a party political election so as to ensure a proper debate, which did not happen in 2010, but before May 2022.
8/

c. that we only hold a vote after a process of information, so that residents understand what the four choices are, which also did not happen in 2010
d. that we also look at what Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz did in Newham with a Democracy and Civic Participation Commission
9/

e. that we then hold a referendum including different options so that residents and not just politicians decide

Let us not repeat the mistakes made in 2010 referendum; lack of debate, lack of information, lack of choice before a referendum, confusion of multiple ballots
10/

Let’s not repeat history & rush into this, let’s take our time to get this right, using experts.
I hope this is not seen as an attack on John Biggs; if hard work, a deep personal knowledge of Tower Hamlets, dedication & a sense of humour were required then it would work
11/

I just happen to think that job too complex & wide ranging for one person to effectively manage TH anymore especially as population & challenges ⬆️
As example, Cabinet agenda 336 pages long, next week 360 p, it is not possible for one person to read it all and take it all in
12/

We therefore ask residents to sign this petition that will allow all of us to be involved in the process for deciding how we govern ourselves & who leads us
That we take the time to do this right in an informed & calm & non party political manner
change.org/towerhamletsma…
End

Sorry missed that Newham Councillors have voted to give residents a choice between the current Mayor model of local government or the Committee System, under which decision-making powers are spread more widely among councillors, who also chose leader

https://twitter.com/OnLondon/status/1319666732043280391?s=20