Published in the blog, late April, 2012 (say 30th); The Nottingham Post today makes a holier than thou call for more debate about a directly elected executive Mayor and for less mud-slinging. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Nottingham-Post-comment-need-ciebate-mudslinging/storv-15838152-detail/story.html Well, OK, except of course they felt obliged to publish the stuff they claim not to like. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Mansfielci-mayor-taking-legal-advice-Labour/story-15838332-detaii/story.html But I don't want to complain about that. Indeed, I look forward to the debate that the Nottingham Post going to host. It was unfortunate their reporter missed the Tory Leader's call for the abolition of the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and the Sheriff. Cos I reacted there and then, challenging the Tory Leader on her stance. She did not clarify or re-state her position then, so it's a bit strange to find her denying saying it now. At the end, I found the reporter had missed the Tory Leader's comments and so it goes. But I don't want to complain about that. Nor do I think the N Post is biased. Indeed the Exec Mayor campaign is having to buy substantial space in the N Post to get their arguments across. There's been a balance of opinion articles. However the latest intervention from a N Post reporter in an opinion piece "join the big boys" (sic) does support an Exec Mayor and calls at the same time for a Greater Nottingham Council, to cover the "city's travel-to-work area, the places where the city we all know draws its workers from". htto://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Richard-Baker-Just-big-does-Nattngham-want/storv-15828757-detailistorv.html The journalist questions whether Nottingham's politicians are big enough, but is not big enough to say which towns that does and does not include. Cos the travel-to-work area is drawn from census returns and the area include parts of Derbyshire. Please by all means tell the people of Heanor, Ilkeston and Long Eaton that they need to be run from Nottingham. Think big, be brave and get out there. While you're at it, tell Bingham. Tell Carlton, Arnold, West Bridgford , Beeston and Stapleford. While you're at it tell the villages of Harby, Hose and Long Clawson that it's all time to change cos of the wisdom of those who think big. They might think being in Leicestershire makes them exempt, but no, they're part of the 'real' Nottingham too. But I don't want to complain about that. What I want to complain about is people telling me to - not to think small and then getting stuck on a debate about the constitution of the city council; not to think small, but to keep equating economic development with inward investment and trips to the south of France; (they just can't get enough); not to think small, but having nothing to say about local firms not employing local workers; not to think small, but shouting out about new powers for Exec Mayors that are not known, written or defined; and shouting out despite the Deputy PM saying "city deals" should not depend on the public's choice of governance; not to think small, but to ignore cuts in public services and benefits, taking money away from the very people who spend most with local firms; And I want to complain about that cos talking to people on the doorstep over this idea - so silly that only 19 members of the public responded to a nationwide consultation - the cities Minster said all 19 responses were given consideration - is making local politicians seem small. £300,000 on this referendum. £300,000 of public money. On an idea drawn from America and resulting in American-style London Mayoral debate - with candidates challenging each other on personal tax returns. Think big. The first option is the best for Nottingham.