IF BRISTOL says yes to a mayor the city could receive more powers over transport, housing, economic development and job creation.
That's according to the Minister for Cities Greg Clark, who is pushing for 10 cities across the country to adopt directly elected mayors at a referendum next month.
Although Mr Clark, pictured, was not more specific about how those new powers might work, he was responding to calls for more definite answers about the elected mayor role.
Because with two weeks to go until Bristol goes to the polls, the question over exactly what powers an elected mayor would have continues to dog debate.
Labour group leader Peter Hammond is the latest person to call for clarification on the issue from the Government.
He and others who have raised the issue saying it is difficult to vote for something when you don't know exactly what it is you're going to get.
Mr Hammond wanted Mr Clark to "come clean" on what powers a mayor would have.
When pushed on this exact point at a public debate in Bristol last month, Mr Clark explained the new mayors will not automatically come with powers that are any different to the existing city council leadership.
But he said if the Government was convinced a city had "strong leadership" it would make new powers available to them.
He said a directly elected mayor "passed that test".
Clarifying his position for the Post, Mr Clark: "The question that the people of Bristol have before them on May 3 is whether the existing Bristol City Council should be run by a leader elected by other councillors as now, or a mayor elected directly by the people of Bristol.
"A mayor would then negotiate substantial new powers devolved from central government including over transport, housing, economic development and job creation."
Critics of the role have described the promise of more powers for cities that say yes at the referendums as a bribe.
Given the £10 million Liverpool was given after it decided to bypass a referendum altogether and go for a mayor without public debate, it looks increasingly like the battle for elected mayors is not an even playing field.
Mr Hammond said: "Currently we have more heat than light being cast on this issue – and the main problem is that the government is asking people to vote blind.
"No one knows what any new city mayor could do. Before they vote, electors should know exactly what power an elected mayor would have.
"The last few days has seen Government ministers and senior Conservatives like Lord Heseltine strongly advocate an elected mayor for Bristol but all have been strangely coy about the potential additional powers such an individual would exercise.
"Local Government Minister, Greg Clark, needs to spell this out in black and white.
"Bristol needs to know exactly what is on offer – that would be straightforward, open and fair to everyone – after all it may affect the outcome of the vote on May 3."
Mr Hammond's position has remained "neutral" on whether Bristol should have an elected mayor or not.
But following an unexpected announcement last weekend, this puts him at odds with a number of high profile members of his group.
His predecessor as group leader Helen Holland was one of a number of heavyweight Labour politicians who have come out in support of the yes campaign.
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