AIBU to think Hackney's directly elected mayor is an unnecessary expense?

[ProudAmberTurtle]

Just seen the count for Hackney mayor, which was won by the Green Party, and she will earn £90,000 per year.

Hackney has:

• The mayor of London (£170,000 per year)

• More than one MP (£99,000 per year each)

• This mayor (£90,000 per year)

• At least one London Assembly representative (£66,000 per year each)

• 57 councillors (ranging from £12,000 to £35,000 per year)

representing it.

AIBU to think this is a colossal waste of money involving several, if not all, the political parties?

Hackney has real problems - sky-high rents, knife crime concerns, struggling families and creaking services. There doesn't appear to be any accountability and voters don't seem to know who is in charge of what. Plus plenty of other boroughs manage without a directly elected mayor.

Well you’re not wrong. And I think today’s winner will make a horrible job of it to boot

Agreed. The Thames Valley is due its own mayor someday (once they make up their minds as to whether Swindon is to be included or not).

It will cost a small fortune and will not make the slightest difference to anyone's daily life - at least not in a good way.

100% agree.

I moved to hackney last year and was only vaguely aware we had a mayor until this election. Just looked it up, and there was a referendum on 2002 in which 70% said yes, which seems pretty high, although I imagine on a low turnout. And also means you could start a campaign for a referendum to abolish the position...