Elected mayors I: Political innovation, electoral systems and revitalising democracy

Abstract

Local authority elected mayors were introduced as something of a panacea for local government in 2000. In reality, choices made by local authorities, and the interest of their electorates in the referendums and elections, has revealed relatively little shift in underlying political attitudes. Turnout remained at or around the local government norm. The authorities considering the reform were overwhelmingly urban. Analysis of election results shows that the apparently narrow victory of many Labour candidates in 'Labour strongholds' was revealed by the electoral system used rather than the existence of a mayor. Independents largely profited in authorities where political competition was limited. Electronic and postal voting, and proportional representation, promise more for the revitalisation of democracy than elected mayors © 2004 Taylor and Francis Ltd.