{"id":8776,"date":"2016-02-12T17:05:24","date_gmt":"2016-02-12T17:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cardiffian.jomec.co.uk\/?p=8776"},"modified":"2016-02-12T17:05:24","modified_gmt":"2016-02-12T17:05:24","slug":"campaign-launched-to-bring-elected-mayor-to-cardiff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2016\/02\/12\/campaign-launched-to-bring-elected-mayor-to-cardiff\/","title":{"rendered":"Campaign launched to bring elected mayor to Cardiff"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE campaign for a directly elected Cardiff mayor kicked off in the city centre this afternoon.
\n\u2018Mayor4Cardiff\u2019 is looking to gain the 24,647 signatures they require to force the council to hold a referendum on the city having an elected mayor.
\nThe mayor would not be a councillor although he or she would be governed by the same rules of conduct.
\nManchester, Bristol, and most notably London, have all introduced directly elected mayors in recent years, and campaigners in Cardiff believe those cities are reaping the benefits.
\nThe campaign is headed by Daran Hill, who was involved in both the 1997 and 2011 devolution campaigns.
\nOn a cold afternoon in the city centre, the campaigners were out in force with clipboards looking to begin their quest for the thousands of signatures they need.
\nIndependent councillor for Heath, Fenella Bowden, who was on Queen Street this afternoon canvassing for support, said: \u201cBristol is a great example of where this system can work. When you look at London too \u2013 it\u2019s clear to see the benefit of the elected mayor in terms of brining business and infrastructure to the city.\u201d
\nElection law states that local authorities must open the window for collecting signatures every five years, and the campaigners are keen to seize their chance.
\nThe number of signatures needed is calculated as 10% of the population of a city \u2013 hence the specific number for Cardiff.
\n

\"Campaigners