VOTER apathy at the ballot boxes saw only 125 people cast their vote in the Adver poll on directly-elected mayors.

For the past week we have been polling public opinion on whether there is support in Swindon for a directly elected mayor and urging readers to vote online and in a postal ballot.

Results counted yesterday showed that 59 per cent of those few who did take part were in favour of a referendum.

And 54 per cent backed calls for a directly elected mayor.

Just 35 people cast their votes at specially placed ballot boxes. Our online poll showed 90 people voted online.

The role of the ceremonial mayor is completely different to that of a directly elected mayor as when an authority adopts an elected mayor the ceremonial duties are passed to a chairman, who presides over full council meetings.

The poor turnout did not surprise many of Swindon’s politicians.

“Some people have told me it wouldn’t add value, while others have said it would carve out a role similar to a council leader,” said South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove.

“I rather suspected the Adver might get a low turnout and I share in the disappointment.

“Until something happens that shows an elected mayor presents some benefit then voter apathy will continue.

“Perhaps Swindon is just a bit too small to have an elected mayor.”

Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh said: “I have said all along I have no issue with having a referendum and no issue with a directly elected mayor.

“I still think it would make little difference if we had one unless it gave more powers than a council leader with more accountability.

“I don’t think it’s right for Swindon anyway. I can understand in big metropolitan areas they have a role to play. But the support for it here just does not exist.”

The elected mayor system has been adopted by 13 councils since the option was introduced by the Local Government Act 2000.

At the moment Conservative controlled Swindon Council is run by a leader and the council’s cabinet – which is only made up of Tory councillors.

“This is a sad reflection and represents the general lack of interest in the voting system,” said Coun Stan Pajak, (Lib Dem, Eastcott). “Perhaps people think politicians are all the same anyway so it will not affect them.

“I still think the elected mayor route is the right thing.

“It would only take five per cent of the population to sway a referendum.”

Geoff Reid from Talk Swindon said: “I voted for a referendum but I think there needs to be at least a year’s worth of debate on a directly-elected mayor.

“I will be following events in Stoke-On-Trent with interest, as they are about to have their second referendum, either for an elected mayor and cabinet or a council leader and cabinet.

“I’m not surprised so few people voted here – it’s a slow burning issue.”