A POLITICAL row has broken out over a decision by Newcastle city councillors to keep their cabinet system and not hold a referendum over whether or not to have an elected mayor.
Members voted narrowly to endorse council leader Tony Flynn's proposal that a leader with a cabinet system was the best of three options presented by the government.
Opposition leader Councillor Peter Arnold (Lib Dem) said people in Newcastle were being denied the chance to express their views.
He said he would be urging residents to sign a petition demanding a referendum.
"If five per cent of people living in Newcastle sign, then we will get a referendum.
"And then people will get the chance to vote for what they want."
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