If at first...

Back in 2012, both Birmingham and Coventry held referendums (or referenda if you insist) on the question of whether they should have a Mayor.  Both said no.  Since then both cities have been bundled up with the surrounding town and city councils to form the West Midlands Combined Authority, and guess what?  We are to have elections in 2017 for a Mayor of the Authority!  No referendum this time - we're to have a Mayor whether we like the idea or not.  The government wanted Mayors for Birmingham and Coventry back in 2012 and the feeling is that as they didn't get the answer they wanted back then, they're going to ignore the democratic process and simply not ask the question this time.