Thursday sees the direct election of the Mayor of Torbay. The incumbent Nick Bye was elected as a Conservative but is seeking re-election as an independent after being deselected.
There are nine candidates altogether. Both the Conservative and the Labour candidates are standing on an "abolish the Mayor" platform. Susie Colley is among the independent candidates – although her campaign website offers some Conservative themes about transparency, zero tolerance, ending wasteful spending and attacking bureaucracy.
The Conservatives have a very strong candidate in Gordon Oliver. He is an experience businessman and local councillor. He has a passionate interest in local history and his maritme involvement includes organising the
European leg of Sir Robin Knox Johnston’s world single handed race ‘Around Alone’–the first time this had been held in the UK for 34 years and working with Lord Beaverbrook and his Committee to bring in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes International Power Boat Race.
His policies including a low Council tax, more apprenticseships and reducing the "anti car" policies currently in operation. Last time round it was Gordon who stood as an independent – he got 3,516 votes in the first round compared to 3.811 for the Lib Dem and 5,283 for the then Conservative candidate Nick Bye.
So far as Torbay Council is concerned all the seats are up for election and there are currently 23 Conservatives, 10 Lib Dems and three others.