'Fresh start' on offer from councillor hoping to be Leicester's first directly-elected mayor
A councillor hoping to become the city's first directly-elected mayor is relying on offering a fresh face with a fresh start to win the vote.
Friday was the closing date for people to put their hats into the ring to become the official Labour candidate.
Among them is Abdul Osman, Leicester City Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, who said people were ready for a new face in charge of the council.
He said: "I can offer a fresh start and a fresh face. At 46, I'm the youngest of the candidates but I will bring more accountability by holding mayoral forums four times a year if I'm elected.
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"I want to bring Leicester out of the shadows and one of the things that needs to change is how things are governed."
Councillor Osman launched his "Abdul 4 Mayor" campaign at the Clock Tower in Leicester city centre on Saturday afternoon. He spelled out his policies for improving the lives of people in the neighbourhoods around the city.
He said: "One of the things we can improve is the level of regeneration in the outer areas of the city.
"We need to find external funding for improvements to the infrastructure, more housing and better shopping areas.
"I think Leicester also needs better transport and as mayor I would like to sit down with the bus companies and work out a way to redirect resources from areas like parking into more bus services."
Among Coun Osman's supporters on Saturday was Councillor Barbara Potter.
She said: "Abdul is different. He can face challenges and he listens to the people.
"If he wins he will also have a good team working for him."
Councillor Robert Wann, a cabinet member for leisure, also backed Coun Osman.
He said: "At the end of the day I'd like to see an elected mayor without any baggage.
"We need someone willing to take the risks. Abdul has proved he can do that in his regeneration role.
"It's going to be an interesting race."
The other four people aiming to be the Labour Party's candidate for mayor are: Leicester City Council leader, Veejay Patel; Leicester South MP Sir Peter Soulsby; former city council leader Ross Willmott; and Peepul Centre founder Rita Patel. The party will select its candidate on March 18.
The directly-elected mayor will oversee the council's 16,000 staff and balance the books on a £500 million budget.
The role of elected mayor will be totally separate to that of Lord Mayor, and will be similar to the council leader but with extra powers, such as being able to select a cabinet.
The public vote for mayor will take place in May.
Comments
by Dan, Loughborough
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 10:19AM
“Jen, I agree with much of your post but surely it is easier for the LM to put in one FOI request on costs rather than every resident who is interested, and which the council has to pay to process every one.”
by Hudson, Leicester
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 4:55AM
“If Cllr Wann supports someone, I strongly urge people to vote for anyone else.”
by me, leicseter
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 12:44AM
“I wonder if the LM realise that there is more than one political party than the nazi labour party in this city and possibly more than one person outside this fascist party wanting to be mayor?”
by None Of The Above, Leics
Monday, February 07 2011, 8:48PM
“Councillor Barbara Potter said: "Abdul is different. He can face challenges and he listens to the people. If he wins he will also have a good team working for him."
He might listen to people, but will he do anything? Of course he will not - typical labour!!”
by Jayne, Enderby
Monday, February 07 2011, 7:35PM
“Let's look at this without the rose coloured specs, this is nothing other than self interest. These people don't give a damn about our city, its all about glory for themselves. If they cared that much they'd have contributed to the economy by getting a job, not existing for years on expenses. they are all a disgrace.”
by SANEEY, LEICESTER
Monday, February 07 2011, 6:43PM
“Good luck and I hope that you are successful so that as a young candidate you can bring modern changes and impovements to the city”
by Saneey, St Mathews, Leicester
Monday, February 07 2011, 6:38PM
“Good luck and you have my full support
As a youngest candidate I am sure you will bring some changes and improvements to City of Leicester.”
by john, Leicestershire
Monday, February 07 2011, 5:50PM
“BIRCH for Mayor BIRCH for Mayor
BIRCH for Mayor BIRCH for Mayor
BIRCH for Mayor BIRCH for Mayor
BIRCH for Mayor BIRCH for Mayor”
by BBB, Leicester
Monday, February 07 2011, 4:14PM
“No matter who gets elected, the three Ps will ALWAYS prevail, power, privilege and position will corrupt in the end, even in a minor sense, you know it, i know it and most of all THEY know it, that's why they are interested in the position in the first place, it isn't anything to do with what they can do for us if elected, it's what the position can do for them!, i truly think you'd be naive to think otherwise, after all, we have enough evidence from past power positions to know that this is the case, those showing a real keen interest in the position should be the very reason why they should be excluded from applying at all costs. Am i a cynic?..maybe, a realist?..Oh yeah!”
by fred, city
Monday, February 07 2011, 3:55PM
“Yet another FREE loader, trying to jump on thr council gravey train, They all want the money for doing nothing, how many of them have ran a business? let alone run a council, They could not run a BATH between them.....”