Referendum Result: BNP's Walker to compete for city council leadership
BNP councillor Alby Walker today indicated he will compete to become the next leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Speaking shortly after it emerged that voters had chosen to scrap the position of elected mayor, Mr Walker said: "I will throw my hat into the ring right now."
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Alby Walker
He said that yesterday's landmark referendum – in which residents opted for a leader and cabinet to run the council – had been "flawed" because of the way the Government put the question to voters.
He added: "The whole thing has been flawed because of the way that the Government has written the question intentionally to confuse the issue.
"There was confusion and apathy combined in the vote, and I think it was a kickback against the current elected mayor who has not got a political mandate."
Councillor Peter Kent-Baguley, leader of the Potteries Alliance, said he had predicted a turnout of 18 per cent and said that the low number of voters was not a good sign for local democracy. Turnout in the referendum was 19.23 per cent.
But he added: "The elected mayor is a lame duck but he has been a lame duck for a long time and it is clear that things have to be done differently."
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by Julie, Trentham
Monday, October 27 2008, 11:04AM
“Completely agree with the comments made by Stoke Girl and Jon.”
by TaxiForMeredith, Glebe St
Saturday, October 25 2008, 11:11PM
“You've gotta love these BNP supporters haven't you !!
Please engage your brain cell(s)?? and read the article again 'Lee Sanders Abbey Hulton' - theres not going to be a mayor, theres going to be a leader and you don't get to vote on who that is !
The other councillors get to decide who it will be and trust me it won't be your mate Alby !!”
by Lee Sanders, abbey hulton
Saturday, October 25 2008, 4:33PM
“Good on you Alby Walker, this place needs the BNP.
Thats why I wil vote for Alby for mayor!!!”
by Dawn, Stoke-on-Trent
Saturday, October 25 2008, 1:36PM
“As ME has said: 'So the result of the referendum broke down like:
Yes: 11.37%
No: 7.82%
Not bothered: 80.81%
The not bothered won by a landslide majority. '
This really does say it all. Those who have not bothered to get out and vote have now put the city in jeopardy..............
I am proud to be a Stokie, always have been, always will be, unless....................... BNP get in......... and then I won't be proud to be a part of Stoke-on-Trent at all.”
by stoke girl, Stoke
Saturday, October 25 2008, 2:50AM
“Sense in London is right - as soon as the BNP take over Stoke's council we're all screwed & there's nothin we'll be able to do about it 'cos over 80% of us couldnt be bothered to vote.
The City needs more investment & jobs & if the BNP are in control all investers will pull their money out - nobody wants to be associated with racists & extremists.
The decent people of Stoke will move out of the City too.
Ma Ching of Leeds is in no position to comment - I've spent quite a bit of time there over the past couple of years & its proof that in some cases, no matter what repairs you make or cover-ups that you do with the odd lick of paint - a hovel is still a hovel & unfortunately for the decent residents of the city - Leeds is a hovel...I've seen areas of Leeds where people need bars on their doors & windows - no part of Stoke's that bad...yet!”
by Jon, stoke
Friday, October 24 2008, 11:59PM
“This is a sad sad day for the people of Stoke on Trent we are moving backwards now and not forward why cant people see the dangers of having a BNP council maybe if Mark was a more effective leader things would be different but i still prefer that system as they are more accountable to the people. Shame on you Potteries”
by paul, meir
Friday, October 24 2008, 10:03PM
“alby 4 mayor”
by paul, meir
Friday, October 24 2008, 10:02PM
“vote bnp they trying best to put things right”
by Gary Elsby, Baddeley Green
Friday, October 24 2008, 9:33PM
“Alby Walker and the BNP have gall to contest for leader on trust. They deliberately deceived the public by supporting a referendum and then voting against democracy by attempting to retain the Mayor. They want it all ways in their futile attempt to fulfil a racist agenda.”
by Ruth, Longton
Friday, October 24 2008, 9:14PM
“Shane, 'a local leader for the local people' ??? I would never want the likes of Alby Walker to represent me. He does not represent anyone I know.
Have you not seen the local population? We are a multi heritage group of people who do not want any of us classed as second rate.
I am proud of my city, and I do not want any business turning its back on us because we are run by an authoritarian group like the BNP....democracy, the BNP dont know the meaning of the word, and believe me I have seen their websites and 'policies'
Lets hope that the electorate realises that they DO need to make the trip to the ballot box, and lets also hope that this has made the councillors sit up and take note that they need to be more pro-active in keeping our city strong.”