GM mayoral candidates to be quizzed online
The two candidates to become Greater Manchester's interim mayor will take part in live streamed online hustings this evening.
Councillors from across Greater Manchester will grill candidates Lord Peter Smith, leader of Wigan Council, and Tony Lloyd, police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester.
During the session – the first of four – councillors will be able to pose the candidates questions before an interim mayor is chosen by a panel consisting of representatives of the 10 Greater Manchester authorities.
The sessions will be held in Manchester on Monday 11 May; in Salford on Wednesday 13 May; Bury on Friday 15 May and Trafford on Monday 18 May.
The leaders of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford, the Mayor of Salford and the deputy leader of Wigan will each vote for their chosen candidate.
The two candidates will be interviewed on Friday 29 May, with the interim mayor chosen by a simple majority vote.
The interim mayor will provide leadership for Greater Manchester during the transitional period up to May 2017 when a directly elected mayor with more powers and responsibilities will be created, subject to legislation.
Monday's sessions will be streamed live between 5pm and 7pm at www.manchester.gov.uk/gmmayor
The streams for the other three sessions will be linked via www.agma.gov.uk
My God, Tony Lloyd another of the ex-silent MPs who just won’t let go of the chattels of office. Give Peter Smith a chance and show some equanimity to the smaller authorities in Greater Manchester
By John Brown