Mayor of Bristol

This article is about the directly elected Mayor of Bristol. For mayors prior to 1899 and Lord Mayors of Bristol, see List of mayors of Bristol.

Mayor of Bristol
Arms of Bristol City Council
StyleCity Mayor (to distinguish from Lord Mayor, a separate post)
First holderGeorge Ferguson
Final holderMarvin Rees

The Mayor of Bristol was the political leader of Bristol City Council. The mayor was a directly elected politician who, along with the 70 members of Bristol City Council, was responsible for the strategic government of the city of Bristol, England. The role was created after a local referendum held on 3 May 2012, which followed the passage of the Localism Act 2011.[1] 41,032 voted for an elected mayor and 35,880 voted against, with a turnout of 24%.[2][3] An election for the new post was held on 15 November 2012.[4][5]

The final mayor was Marvin Rees, elected on 5 May 2016, who stepped down on 3 May 2024.

The post of Lord Mayor of Bristol is a separate office, elected each May by city councillors and taking office on 29 September for a one-year period. The Lord Mayor chairs Council meetings and performs ceremonial functions in the city.[6]

On 7 December 2021, Bristol City Council voted in favour of holding another referendum on the position of mayor in May 2022, with regards to whether to retain the position or return to decision-making by councillors.[7][8] The referendum result was to abolish the position, and replace it with a committee system at the end of the current mayoral term in May 2024.[9]

  1. ^ Parry, Keith (19 April 2012). "Directly-elected mayors – Commons Library Standard Note". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  2. ^ "The City of Bristol Mayoral Referendum result". Bristol City Council. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  3. ^ Staff (4 May 2012). "Bristol votes in favour of directly-elected mayor". BBC News. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Directly Elected Mayor – What does it mean for Bristol?". Bristol City Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  5. ^ Staff (5 May 2012). "Bristol stands alone as only city to vote for an elected mayor". This is Bristol. Northcliffe Media. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Lord Mayor of Bristol". Bristol City Council. 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  7. ^ "Bristol mayor referendum to be held on role's future". BBC News. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  8. ^ Woolerton, Betty (8 December 2021). "Rees' reaction to mayoral referendum". B24/7. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Bristol Mayor Vote: Voters Decide to Abolish Mayor Post". BBC News. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.