Bristolians will be asked to vote for or against the idea of a directly elected Mayor in May 2012, in a local referendum proposed in the Government’s Localism Bill. Replacing the present Councillors plus Cabinet system in the City Council with a directly elected Mayor would represent the biggest upheaval to local democracy since the dissolution of Avon County Council.

But would it be change for the better?

The debate will feature voices from both sides, for and against a directly elected mayor, in the Conference Hall of Bristol City Council. Join Professor Alex Marsh from the University of Bristol School for Policy Studies and panellists chaired by Bristol-based broadcaster Chris Serle to debate the issues for and against a directly elected mayor. Panellists include:

• Mark Weston, Conservative councillor for Henbury and Deputy Leader of the Bristol Conservative Party
• George Ferguson CBE, owner and founder of Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatre, and Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects
• Deborah Hallett, strategy consultant and recent adviser to the London Development Agency
• Barbara Janke, Liberal Democrat leader of Bristol City Council

This event is free but, but booking is required; please visit: bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/events. Further information is available or to submit a question, please contact the University of Bristol by email: cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)117 33 18313. Please submit your question together with:

• your full name
• email address
• phone number
• home postcode

Doors open at 6.30 pm and the event begins at 7 pm.

This joint event is organised by the RSA, University of Bristol, Bristol Festival of Ideas, and the Bristol branch of the Institute of Directors.