The authority could be forced to scrap the committee model
Former Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees took his seat in the House of Lords, as Lord Rees of Easton, for the first time on Monday, February 24, 2025(Image: western daily press)
Bristol Live readers have been vocal in their opinions regarding the recent governmental overhaul that could see the current committee model scrapped due to an impending government overhaul.
A mere three years after a city-wide referendum decided to introduce the system and axe the directly-elected mayor, Bristolians now face yet another transformation.
The central government has announced intentions to oblige councils governed by policy committees, including Bristol, to transition to the leader and cabinet format.
This proposition has caused uproar among Bristol’s Green and Liberal Democrat contingents, while Labour welcomed the move, criticising the eight policy committees as “shambolic”.
A government minister had said that this change would stop councils from “wasting taxpayer funds on needless changes to systems of governance”. Nonetheless, this new development means Bristol is on track to alter its governance model yet again, marking the third switch in recent times.
One commenter, Junius writes: “This is Labour reverting to type, imposition of policy by central dictat using elective dictatorship with its majority of seats in parliament (although that might crumble with a predicted rebellion over welfare reform).
“Choosing a model of local government should be down to the local electorate. Besides that, the leader with cabinet model while it may work well with single party control becomes problematic with no overall party control.”
Forthbridgemaintenance says: “Labour remain omnipotent having been granted that right by the electorate.”
Blackbeard83 replies: “You could say the same with the committee system.”
Katiem remarks: “Typical Labour. Want to rule with an iron fist no matter what residents think.”
Peterbed says: “I don’t think Bristol people in there mind actually voted to introduce the committee model in the referendum, I think the majority of people who voted, wanted to get rid of the mayor, and not have any one like him again.”
BMushroom writes: “Great to see Labour planning to waste yet more money and force something on people that they don’t want. FACT.”
Forthbridgemaintenance adds: “The Tory Party must be regretting making such a hash of their time in government to the extent they are no longer electable and have handed absolute power to the Labour Party.”
Thecookedsock believes: “Great to see the Labour Government sorting out the mess of the committee system.”
While over on our Facebook page – Al Downing Woolley writes: “Hopefully that shake up would put the Conservatives running the council and get Bristol put right and get Shitsville sorted once and for all. That’s the biggest issue which has to be sorted now.”
Leeroy Wildman says: “So ignoring the Bristol voters? Had enough of democracy have we?”
Mandy Johns adds: “Not really the Bristol voters though are they. If you took out the student votes.”
Do you think that scrapping the committee model is the way to go in Bristol? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.