Ealing voters say "No" to elected mayor
Turnout less than 10% as decision is taken to stick with existing system
The voters of Ealing borough have decided against changing the current system of local government. In a very low turnout of 9.8% the majority voted "No" to a change to a directly elected Mayor.
There were 21,182 votes cast with 55% voting to retain the current system.
The referendum was held on the same day that an Audit Commission report was published which rated the Council's performance as "weak". Ealing attempted to obtain a high court injunction to stop the publication of the report but the judge ruled that it was in the interest of the people of Ealing to see the contents.
December 13, 2002