We’ve all heard it said. Politicians make promises during election campaigns then once elected fail to deliver. So well done to our Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn for proving the doubters wrong. During her election campaign Norma promised a referendum on the Mayoral system and a say on how the Council’s run. And she delivered on that promise. Residents turned out in their tens of thousands to give a clear vote of confidence in the Mayor and to confound critics of the system. I voted to retain the Mayoral system but I do wonder whether the rules preventing any meaningful campaigning need to be reviewed given the general lack of awareness about the vote.

I doubt if anyone will remain unaware of the EU Referendum by the time we get to 23^rd June. Indeed apart from next week’s Queen’s Speech setting out the Government’s programme for the forthcoming year, I expect there will be few eyes on what happens in Westminster. If the Mayoral Referendum was important for the future of our area then the EU Referendum will be crucial for the future of our country.

One of the great things about elections is that everyone’s vote is equal. We have a free choice of who to vote for and we’re free to vote or not. So to everyone who took the time to vote last week let me say a very big thank you.