Voters reject confused mayoral offer – Where next for localism?

The Government’s localism agenda has been dealt a fairly hefty blow today with an overwhelming rejection of its plans for directly elected mayors.

Sensing how the wind was blowing, government ministers were already suggesting that one or two yes votes would exceed their hopes. But it looks as though they will not even get that.

The Minister in charge, Greg Clark, has suggested future mayoral proposals could cover wider geographic areas, perhaps hoping that this would somehow bypass the entrenched political interests of city councillors.

So what lessons can be learnt from yet another ‘No’ in a UK referendum? These results follow the rejection of a regional assembly in the north east that sounded the death knell for regional government in the UK. And they come hot on the heels of a national rejection of proportional representation.  People don’t seem keen to change the way we do democracy.

Is it a case of simple voter apathy? A rejection of the political class in general? Or the result of risk aversion? The status quo needs to be pretty bad and the benefits of change quite clear before people will make a leap into the unknown.  

It is certainly true that many voters were completely unaware of the debate on directly elected mayors and turnout was remarkably low; just 24% in Manchester and Nottingham. 

In communication terms the pro campaign was up against it, having neither a clear message nor a trusted voice to present it.  The largely unspecified powers did little to motivate local people.  Rather than local champions able to inspire trust, mayoral supporters faced a dearth of local support from the political establishment, business leaders or local media.  In Nottingham, the hostile council even issued a leaflet warning Asian voters that the introduction of a directly elected mayor could provide a boost to parties such as the British National party or English Defence League.

Even those local media outlets that did back a yes vote, such as the Bristol Post, did so at the very last minute. And were more concerned with encouraging people to go out and exercise their vote than issuing a genuine rallying call in favour of change.  Business remained either indifferent to change or positively campaigned against it.

Trying to rally the cause David Cameron said "I want a Boris in Birmingham, I want a Boris in Leeds, I want a Boris in Bradford”. While Boris remains popular in London, or at least in the suburbs, perhaps that call didn’t have the positive effect the Prime Minister was hoping for. It could be the policy was seen as being imposed by the London political establishment and not as a response to calls from the grassroots.

Despite the claims of all political parties to be localist in their approach, voters aren’t exactly breaking down the doors of the polling booths to make their voices heard.  A Mayor for London was supported by just one in four Londoners in the 1998 referendum, and rejected by just over one in ten in Nottingham.  Rather than giving power to the people, we are taking decisions endorsed by a shrinking minority.  Where next for Localism?

Tony Cox

Consultant

tony@linstockcommunications.com