News / Politics
Earliest referendum in Bristol would be 2022
Despite Parliament passing an amendment to the Devolution Bill lifting local government restrictions on Tuesday, Bristol will not be able to take part in another mayoral referendum until 2022.
Three years ago Bristol was the only city to vote for a mayor model in a string of referendums held under the Localism Act, but by voting yes, the city also gave up its right to make future changes unless by an Act of Parliament.
This restriction was lifted on Tuesday, November 17 thanks to an amendment tabled by former leader of Bristol City Council Barbara Janke, but means Bristol people will still have to wait at least seven years before they have another chance to vote on keeping or scrapping the position of an elected mayor.
This time restriction is due to an agreement in Parliament that a 10-year moratorium is required between Bristol’s first mayoral referendum, held back in 2012, and it’s next.
Bristol now has the same rights as other cities in the country with elected mayors, and can bring about another referendum by submitting a petition signed by at least 5% of the local electorate.
Until such a petition is submitted, and indeed until 2022 at least, the city will remain under the governance of an elected mayor.
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