Its not the politcial x factor we need

I found myself on Newsnight Scotland last night arguing against directly elected Mayors for Scottish cities. The principle of devolution does not stop at Holyrood, nor at the door of the City chambers. If we want more participation in politics we need to grasp the opportunity consensus politics gives us to devolve more and more power to local communities not place it in the hands on one individual.

Yes we need leadership but I would rather see that leadership come from some-one who has name consensus politics work (as the present administration are failing miserably to do).

I also think that it is in some senses allow a participatory cop out as directly elected mayors allow folk to say “I voted for him/her. its their responsibility to do it all, not how can I be more involved”.