Ousted detective 'Robocop' set to become mayor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ray Mallon, the former detective known as Robocop who left the Cleveland force after admitting to disciplinary offences, could become the country's second elected independent mayor tomorrow in the first batch of mayoral elections outside London.
Mr Mallon is expected to overcome the party system and win the race to become Mayor of Middlesbrough.
Privately, ministers have already conceded defeat. Mr Mallon's campaign has ignited national interest in the American-style mayoral system being introduced for the first time in seven authorities across Britain.
The mayors have been created by Labour in an attempt to reinvigorate local politics. Candidates in most areas will be chosen by a single transferable vote, a form of proportional representation.
Labour is likely to win the elections in Doncaster, Lewisham, Newham, North Tyneside and, probably, Hartlepool. But it faces a tough challenge in Watford, where the race could go to a second round.
Labour's campaign suffered an upset when the party was forced to re-run its ballot to choose a candidate for Lewisham after the rejection of the council leader and Labour moderniser Dave Sullivan.
In Lewisham, Derek Stone, the Tory candidate for mayor, was criticised for a poster that described him as "one of your own" and depicted a Union flag. Mr Stone was the man who advised the former prime minister John Major to use a soapbox to address voters during Mr Major's days as a councillor in Lambeth in the 1960s.
Twenty-three referendums on creating a mayoralty have been held in the past year, but only eight authorities voted "yes". Speculation that big cities such as Birmingham and Liverpool would be the first to opt for mayors was dashed, leaving smaller councils to pioneer the system.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments