Phil Redmond penned an interesting article on the Guardian's Comment is Free site this evening. Its interesting that he's using The Guardian when he could use his column in the Post. Its also interesting that he's continuing to test the Mayor's role (see previous post re Job Description) - this time on how he'd address "the ability of the dominant political party to filibuster." And finally its interesting because he almost offers Joe Anderson the job as deputy Mayor!
The latter two points are related of course. Reading between the lines, my interpretation of his Guardian article is he believes he can win the election but he doesn't want to hand-tied by a constant fight with the councillors who will both control the cabinet and the full council. It seems he is looking for that assurance from Anderson that Labour, who must surely retain their sizeable majority after the local elections, will play nicely with the Mayor. He has good reason to worry about this, the relations with the cabinet could very difficult if a collective obdurate mentality sets in.
On the other hand, he'll be Mayor and away from the Town Hall he will have a great deal of influence. Liam Fogarty, the former BBC man and independent candidate, tweeted earlier that Redmond understates the 'soft' power that the Mayor will have.
P. Redmond on Liverpool mayor role: bit.ly/xZym4P I think he understates the "soft" power a popular mandate confers on the winner.
— Liam Fogarty (@LiamFog) February 13, 2012
'Soft power' defines he way influencers can can obtain buy-in through co-option and attraction. Its about creating a culture and establishing a value base for the Mayor's office. Fogarty has a point, the Mayor will have a symbolic power that people will want to work with. It just remains to be seen whether the councillors will fall into step with that or play politics. Anyone who witnessed the Mayoral debate will be in no doubt Liverpool politicians from all sides like to play off of one and other.
Redmond's article referenced the Militant tendency in his open paragraph and then closed with "I'd invite the leader of the largest party to become deputy mayor." I was immediately reminded of the Hatton/Mulhearn combination: the savvy front-man with media presence and the back room boss cutting deals across the council. It kind of felt like he was saying, 'I'll shape the agenda, and my deputy will make it happen.' Anderson will have an important role in shaping the Mayor's duties in the coming weeks, and Redmond has been clear in using his Post column and this article to make demands of the role. Its like the very public salvoes that happen before closed negotiations happen - part agenda setting, part testing the resolve.
Redmond's article referenced the Militant tendency in his open paragraph and then closed with "I'd invite the leader of the largest party to become deputy mayor." I was immediately reminded of the Hatton/Mulhearn combination: the savvy front-man with media presence and the back room boss cutting deals across the council. It kind of felt like he was saying, 'I'll shape the agenda, and my deputy will make it happen.' Anderson will have an important role in shaping the Mayor's duties in the coming weeks, and Redmond has been clear in using his Post column and this article to make demands of the role. Its like the very public salvoes that happen before closed negotiations happen - part agenda setting, part testing the resolve.
His final words in the article were "If I were running for Mayor." If? This horse is in the starting gate.
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