2012 English mayoral referendums

The referendum was held prior to decisions on the Mayoral responsibilities.[26] Amongst those campaigning for a 'yes' vote in Birmingham were Gisela Stuart, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, Liam Byrne, Labour MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, Sir Albert Bore, the leader of the Labour group on Birmingham City Council, and Siôn Simon, the former Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington.

Liam Byrne confirmed he would stand for his party's nomination were voters to approve plans in the referendum.[27] He was supported by ex-Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore.[28]

Those advocating a 'no' vote included Roger Godsiff, Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and John Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley.[29]

Birmingham Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	120,611	57.8
Yes	88,085	42.2
Total votes	208,696	100.00

The post of West Midlands Mayor, chairing the West Midlands Combined Authority, was introduced in 2017 without a further referendum.

All three main political parties in Bradford - Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats declared their opposition to an elected mayor for the city,[30] whilst the Conservative MP Kris Hopkins, who was previously leader of Bradford Council, also campaigned for a 'no' vote in his Keighley constituency in the hope that such an outcome would help the area 'break-away' from Bradford.[31] George Galloway, who was elected MP for Bradford West in a by-election five weeks before the referendum, declared his support for a directly elected mayor shortly after his election, making him the sole Bradford MP in favour of the proposal.[32]

Bradford Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	66,283	55.1
Yes	53,949	44.9
Required majority	50
Total votes	120,232	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	341,126	35

The out-going Leader of Bristol City Council, Barbara Janke, was opposed to the introduction of a directly elected mayor, as was the rest of her Liberal Democrat group, whilst the city's Green Party were also opposed. The Conservatives were the only party in the city to openly support the introduction of a mayor, whilst Labour adopted a neutral approach of "let the people decide".[33] The leader of Bristol City Council described the electorate as "palpably apathetic" on the issue.[33]

Bristol Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	41,032	53
No	35,880	47
Required majority	50
Total votes	76,912	100.00

Labour controlled Coventry Council said they believed an elected mayor is unnecessary, and were supported by the Liberal Democrats, Socialist, and the majority of Conservative councillors in a council motion formally opposing the idea of a directly elected mayor.[34] All of Coventry's MPs declared their opposition to the plan too, with the sole exception of Bob Ainsworth, former Defence Secretary and MP for Coventry North East, who suggested that the position would make the council more accountable to the electorate.[35][36]

Coventry Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	39,483	63.6
Yes	22,619	36.4
Total votes	62,956	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	236,818	26.6
Source: [37]

The post of West Midlands Mayor (covering the West Midlands county, including Coventry) was introduced in 2017, without a further referendum.

The Labour leader of Leeds City Council criticised the proposals for an elected mayor as "utter madness",[38] whilst the Conservative and Liberal Democrat group leaders on the City Council also both expressed their opposition to the plan, and advocated a 'no' vote.[39]

Leeds Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	107,910	63.3
Yes	62,440	36.7
Total votes	174,442	100.00
Source: [40]

The non-political Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, responded to the government's consultation of elected mayors by stating that such a position was not suitable for Manchester.[41] Some analysts and local business leaders have stated their opposition to a mayoral system of local governance in Manchester and have stated the progress Manchester has made over the past 20 years that shows the current system is adequate.[42]

Amongst the local political parties, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Manchester City Council publicly declared his support for the proposals,[43] whilst the Manchester Evening News reported that many Labour politicians were "quietly opposed to change".[43] Manchester narrowly voted against a mayor; the result was however much closer than many local politicians and media predicted, and far closer than the other ten cities which also held mayoral referendums.

A poll of almost 1000 Mancunians by the MEN in April 2012 found a majority preferred the current system of a council leader and their cabinet rather than a mayoral system of local government. The poll found however that a majority would favour a mayor for the wider Greater Manchester region, which includes 10 metropolitan boroughs, over a system of individual mayors for towns and cities.[44] On 3 November 2014 it was announced that a directly elected Mayor for the Greater Manchester region would be introduced with the first Mayoral elections to be held in 2017.[45]

Manchester Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	48,593	53.2
Yes	42,677	46.8
Total votes	91,270	100.00
Source:

A campaign group advocating a 'yes' vote in the Newcastle referendum was led by Brian Moore, former Chairman of the Newcastle Conservative Party.[46] The idea was backed by Newcastle First, a local political party,[47] and the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hexham.[48]

The local Labour and Liberal Democrat groups had previously expressed their opposition to an elected mayor[49] but both of their group leaders declared their intentions to stand if the position was created.[50]

Newcastle upon Tyne Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	40,089	61.9
Yes	24,630	38.1
Total votes	64,719	100.00
Source: [51]

Nottingham City Council has previously rejected calls to hold a referendum using its own powers under the Local Government Act 2000,[52] and the leader of the council, Jon Collins, has also previously expressed his personal opposition to an elected mayor because of the potential of such a position leading to a dysfunctional council.[53] The local Liberal Democrats also expressed their opposition to the proposals, and advocated a 'no' vote.[54]

The vote went against an elected mayor.[55]

Nottingham Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	28,320	57.5
Yes	20,943	42.5
Total votes	49,439	100.00
Source:

The Labour and Liberal Democrat groups on Sheffield City Council both expressed opposition to the idea of an elected mayor,[56] whilst the regional director of the Confederation of British Industry, Andrew Palmer, also expressed doubt over the plan.[57] The trade union Unison also actively campaigned for a 'no' vote in the referendum.[58]

Support for the proposal was given by the local Conservative party, who claimed a directly elected mayor would be more accountable to the electorate,[59] as well as other local business owners who claimed a directly elected mayor would hold a "stronger mandate to take decisions".[57]

Sheffield Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	82,890	65.0
Yes	44,571	35.0
Total votes	127,461	100.00
Source: [60]

Although critical of the post, Wakefield Council leader Peter Box suggested he would put his name forward if the referendum was passed.[61]

Amongst the local political parties, the Conservative group leader on Wakefield Council declared his party's support for the status quo, whilst the local UK Independence Party expressed support for the mayoral position.[62]

Wakefield Mayoral referendum 2012

Choice	Votes	%
No	45,357	62.2
Yes	27,610	37.8
Total votes	73,547	100.00
Source: [63]