Date set for referendum on mayor for Plymouth

A date has been set for a referendum to decide if Plymouth should have a directly-elected mayor.

The referendum on how Plymouth will be governed in the future will be held on Thursday 17 July.

Plymouth City Council has to hold a referendum after a campaign, led by Angus Forbes, former banker and husband of celebrity dancer Darcey Bussell, gathered more than 10,000 signatures in favour of the process.

At the referendum, those on the electoral register will be asked to have their say whether Plymouth City Council’s governance model should be changed from a Leader model to a Directly Elected Mayor.

This process is separate – and not related to – the ongoing discussions about Plymouth potentially joining a combined regional authority that could be led by an elected Strategic Mayor.

It is anticipated that the deadlines will be:

Deadline to register to vote: 1 July 2025
Deadline to apply or change a postal vote: 5pm on 2 July 2025
Deadline to apply for Voter ID certificate: 5pm on 9 July 2025
Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on 9 July 2025

It is important to note that this is a totally separate process to work already underway to establish a strategic combined authority with directly elected mayor for the region.