Salford goes to the polls to decide on elected mayor for city

By Mancunian Matters staff

Residents in Salford are being asked to decide whether their city should have an elected mayor.

If the electorate vote in favour of an elected mayor then the city will hold its first ever mayoral election on May 3, the same day as the Salford Council elections.

The referendum was triggered by a disgruntled local businessman who collected enough signtures – more than five per cent of the total electorate – to force the vote.

Working alongside the Northwest English Democrat Party, Geoffrey Berg gathered over 10,500 signatures since the campaign began in January 2011.

Mr Berg has said he is delighted that the people of Salford will get the chance to change the city council which he said had become “complacent” after 40 years of Labour rule.

If residents vote against the idea, the city will not be able to hold another referendum for 10 years.