The current mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, has urged for greater authority to be given to city officials in order to address problems such as deteriorating infrastructure and the urgent issue of climate change.
Rees, who is coming to the end of an eight-year term, stated that the dominance of London in terms of power is a “UK ailment” that is hindering progress throughout the nation.
He expressed his belief that the people of Bristol made a mistake in eliminating the position of elected mayor. He also shared his thoughts, with some doubt, on one of the most notable occurrences during his tenure: the removal of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston.
Rees, the first black mayor of a European city, addressed the situation of tenants in Bristol’s oldest tower block who were forced to evacuate due to safety concerns. They are currently making arrangements to spend Christmas and the new year in a hotel or with loved ones.
He stated that Barton House narrated a more comprehensive tale. It highlights the difficulties that cities, such as Bristol, are currently facing. Many of our physical structures are approaching the end of their lifespan. This means we must make significant choices regarding how to maintain the city’s physical integrity. It is crucial that we completely reconsider how cities are constructed.
The mayor expressed concerns about the level of control in London. He stated that if he were a minister and wanted to make changes in the country, he would not rely on a group of Oxbridge graduates and think tank members in Westminster. Instead, he would gather the leaders of the largest cities in the UK. He believes that by tapping into the potential of our cities, progress can be made.
Rees, who is chair of the Core Cities UK alliance, said decarbonising the world needed to be done at a city level. “The battle against climate change will be won or lost in cities. Most of the world lives in cities today. It will be two-thirds by 2050.
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National governments will attend Cop and potentially reach agreements, but there is a greater level of dynamic and delivery-oriented political leadership at the city level. This allows for the transformation of systems that impact people’s lives and the reduction of carbon emissions in those systems.
“The maths say the cities level is where it’s at. If you decarbonise the world’s cities, you solve most of the world’s problems. Do you need national leaders to decarbonise cities? Well it would help. But if you can get the money into the hands of mayors you’d go a long way to solving the problem.”
Rees expressed disapproval towards the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, for proposing a shift in focus from cities to towns. He argued that cities should not be overlooked, as they are where the majority of people reside. He also noted that while smaller towns like Taunton may warrant attention, larger cities like Manchester and Liverpool tend to receive more attention.
The city has decided to eliminate the position of directly elected mayor. The mayor stated, “What options do we have? On the night of the vote, I expressed my concern that this decision would have negative consequences for the city.”
Without a doubt, the most talked about event during Rees’s tenure was the removal of the Colston statue and its disposal in the harbor.
Rees stated that the event involving the statue was of great significance, both symbolically and personally. He expressed his discomfort with the presence of a statue dedicated to a slaver, noting that as a Jamaican, it is possible that the slaver may have owned one of his ancestors. This evokes strong emotions for Rees.
However, he emphasized the significance of it being more than just a symbol.
He stated that symbolic gestures are not enough to address the underlying causes of structural racial inequality. The statue itself is not crucial in addressing these issues. When symbolic acts are not accompanied by meaningful policies, they serve more to appease the emotions of privileged individuals rather than improving the political and economic status of oppressed groups.
I propose that the leniency towards the statue was primarily focused on white individuals rather than black individuals.
The mayor expressed greater interest in the counter protest that occurred following the toppling of the statue, which some portrayed as a far-right gathering. “I had a hunch that it wasn’t entirely far-right. I’m not denying that there were racist individuals present, but I don’t believe it was that straightforward.”
Rees and a few coworkers conversed with the event coordinators. “I encountered an individual who was highly knowledgeable and had authored a paper on the past of social classes in Bristol. Our discussion revolved around policies and the provision of housing.”
“I felt a stronger connection with him compared to when I met the Colston Four. Our shared experiences and understanding of the world made me feel more at ease. He even had more similarities with my white mother than the Colston Four or anyone else I encountered.”
Rees is not revealing his future plans.
“I am more than just a politician. My mother still resides in the same house we relocated to in 1978. I am a person of mixed race who was raised on government assistance and lived in a public housing development. Despite facing obstacles, I have managed to achieve a position that I never thought possible.”
Source: theguardian.com
