Graham, Tom and Ian

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Lib Dem campaign against secretive mayor goes to the Lords

by Lib Dem team on 22 June, 2015

Liberal Democrat councillors Iain Roberts and Tim Pickstone have taken the fight for an open and transparent Greater Manchester mayoralty to the Lords.

Iain Roberts discussing the Devolution Bill with Lord Shipley in Manchester

Iain Roberts discussing the Devolution Bill with Lord Shipley in Manchester

Iain Roberts, Deputy Leader at Stockport Council, wants the House of Lords to ensure the new law to create an elected mayor also puts an end to secretive decision-making.

“The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is a success story that’s delivered Metrolink along with jobs, investment and much more,” Iain said. “But there’s one area where it’s failing: almost no-one knows what it is or what it does, much less how to get involved. DevoManc is handing it more powers and an elected mayor – it needs to open up.”

Iain and Tim met with Lord Shipley and Lord Scriven in Manchester on Saturday 20th June to press the case.

Bury Lib Dem councillor Tim Pickstone said “The Liberal Democrats want to make it a legal requirement for any new mayor, and the Combined Authority, to make decisions in public so everyone knows what’s going on. There must be proper scrutiny and every single person in Greater Manchester must be able to have their say on decisions that affect them. We are asking the Lib Dem team in the Lords to table amendments to the Conservative bill going through parliament now and we hope Lords and MPs from all parties will support them.”

   3 Comments

3 Responses

  1. adrian hallmark says:

    Dead right – bad enough having to endure the stitch-up for two years so fully support Lib Dem action here.

  2. Arthur Lampkin says:

    They definitely do need to be more transparent and if we have a Mayor for Manchester do we then get rid of local Mayors as this is just doubling up again.

  3. Halifax says:

    Good luck

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