Salford votes in favour of having elected mayor

SALFORD: Set for an elected mayor

By Mancunian Matters staff

Residents in Salford will vote in the city's first-ever elected mayor on May 3 after backing the idea in a referendum yesterday.

Results from the referendum showed 17,344 voted yes against 13,653 votes for no, thus endorsing the new proposal.

But turnout was just 18.1% of the city's 171,000 eligible voters.

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.

The electorate in Manchester will be asked whether they want an elected mayor on May 3, as part of the Government's plans to introduce them into major cities.

If Manchester votes in favour then elections will be held in November.