On Thursday 2 May 2024 you are being invited to cast your Vote on who should become the first Mayor of the newly created East Midlands ‘Combined County Authority’.
Although it was originally my intention to stand for election, having investigated the proposed Devolution Deal and the terms of the election in detail, my view is that this cannot be considered to be a Free and Fair Election.
In addition, I have come to the conclusion that this Devolution Deal is NOT in the best interests of the People of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The above video explains my rationale for these statements in detail.
I am recommending that we DO NOT CONSENT to the Devolution Deal nor the election of a Mayor for East Midlands. You can help derail the process by writing I DO NOT CONSENT across the Ballot Paper.
All ‘spoiled votes’ need to be counted and declared as part of the election result and I am writing to the Returning Officer expressing my view that this is not a ‘Free and Fair’ Election.
