RENEWED calls for the people of Oxford to elect an all-powerful mayor to boost democracy has received a mixed reception.

Communities secretary Hazel Blears said the public wanted leaders in local government they could hold to account and urged Oxford to follow London's example.

Ms Blears said two mayors of London boroughs had transformed their local councils from "basket cases" to high performing authorities, and said such a system could also benefit Oxford.

She said: "The longer I'm in this job, the more important I think it is that there's visible, accountable leadership at every level.

"The public is increasingly keen to see who's responsible and who they can hold to account when things are not going the way they want them to.

"I personally think elected mayors are a good thing."

Six years ago, a campaign for an elected mayor in Oxford failed, despite the support of 44 per cent in a referendum.

John Power, a former county councillor and Lord Mayor, was part of the Democratically Elected Mayor of Oxford pressure group leading the campaign.

Mr Power said: "The mayor should be elected by the whole city.

"We were pushing elected mayors for the sake of democracy and we found among the people it was a great idea.

"The great majority of Oxford is not represented."

Current Lord Mayor John Tanner, who holds the ceremonial position of Lord Mayor, rejected outright the idea a directly elected mayor for Oxford.

He said: "It would be a disaster if people like me were allowed to get their way every time.

"We have had a referendum and the people of Oxford have made it clear they don't want one."

The option of directly elected mayors for local authorities in England and Wales was introduced in 2000.

Councils that want to move to a mayoral system are required to obtain the public's approval through a referendum.

Elected mayors are currently in power in Bedford, Doncaster, Hackney, Lewisham, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Newham, North Tyneside, Stoke-on-Trent, Torbay, Watford and Hartlepool.