John Mutton set to become Coventry's first mayor

City Council leader John Mutton is set to become Coventry’s first executive mayor, despite his long-held opposition to the idea.



Communities secretary Eric Pickles is to impose current council leaders as “shadow mayors” in Coventry and 11 other large cities from May,

Next year, a referendum will be held on whether Coventry people actually want an elected mayor.

Labour MPs have accused Mr Pickles of going against the government’s commitment to “localism” – in which people, not ministers, decide what’s best for their communities.

Mr Pickles was challenged in the Commons on Monday by Coventry Labour MP Bob Ainsworth – who has been considering standing to become the city’s first elected mayor in 2013 – should next year’s referendum deliver a ‘yes’ vote.

Current council leaders will become “shadow mayors” this year to enable people to get used to the idea ahead of the vote, Mr Pickles said.

Opponents of shadow mayors – including Mr Ainsworth and councillor Mutton – have accused him of seeking to manipulate public opinion ahead of a referendum, through fear the public will vote against.

Many leading councillors are set to campaign for a ‘no’ vote.