Politics of Bristol

Full meetings are chaired by the Lord Mayor, a largely ceremonial role that does not hold direct power.

The Combined Authority was originally meant to cover the same area as the former county of Avon which existed between 1974 and 1996, but North Somerset Council rejected the proposal.

[8] The first election for the position of Mayor of the West of England took place on 4 May 2017, and was won by Tim Bowles of the Conservatives with a total of 70,300 votes, including second preferences.

[10] The Cabinet of the Combined Authority consists of the leaders of all three constituent councils, plus the Mayor of the West of England.

[12] Green Party of England and Wales co-leader, Carla Denyer is standing for the newly created Westminster constituency of Bristol Central at the next UK general election.

[14] On 24 February 2009 the minority Labour administration resigned following a defeat over plans to build an incinerator in Avonmouth, and the Liberal Democrats resumed control.

[15] In 2009, the election resulted in the Liberal Democrats taking overall majority control of Bristol City Council for the first time.

[19] In March 2015, the only Independent Councillor on Bristol City Council joined the Conservatives, bringing their total up to 16.

[25] This election saw a surge in support for the Greens, with them gaining 13 seats, becoming the joint largest party on the Council and Labour losing their majority.

[29][30] In December 2022, Alex Hartley, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Hotwells and Harbourside, resigned, triggering a by-election that was held on 2 February 2023.

[34] The Lib Dems and Greens were publicly opposed to the introduction of a directly elected mayor, whilst Labour took a neutral stance and the Conservatives were the only party to support it.

[26] On 7 December 2021, the majority of opposition Councillors backed a legally binding motion to hold a referendum on the future of the role of the Elected Mayor of Bristol.