Paignton people – nearly time for the election of the Torbay Mayor!

Tomorrow (May 5) sees the election for the Mayor of Torbay. Nick Bye got the nod in 2005 and he is hoping win again and be at the helm of the Bay for the next term of four years.

Eight other candidates though are vying for his position. They are Dennis Brewer (Liberal Democrats), Martin Brook (Independent), Patrick Canavan (Labour), Paul Clifford (Independent), Susie Colley (Independent), Fiona Mcphail (Voice4Torbay), Sam Moss (Green Party) and Gordon Oliver (Conservative).

For a more detailed look at each prospective candidate and their policies see Election for a Torbay Mayor.

The elected Mayor will be responsible for giving direction to Torbay Council and has responsibility for the delivery of its services. He or she will have significant decision making powers and will be the main representative for the Bay.

Also tomorrow will be the Torbay Council Elections – where you vote on who represents you and your ward at a local level. (Torbay is split into different wards and two or three councillors are elected to represent each area).

And if that isn’t enough tomorrow also sees a national referendum on the UK Parliamentary Voting System where people will be asked the following question:

'At present, the UK uses the 'first past the post' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the 'alternative vote' system be used instead?'

Information about the AV system... 

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. (List of polling stations).

Flickr.com image by Alan Cleaver.