[Margaret Pilkington]

I don't think I would buy that.
It makes no sense at all. You have to pay for the process of a referendum.(and the recurring cost of voting for an elected mayor. I can see absolutely no benefits whatsoever) Where do the people think this money will come from? Or can they not think so far ahead.
I have done a very cursory Google search of elected mayors and they only seem to be mentioned in relation to cities...and even in that context I think they are a drain on the public purse.