QLDC's mayor and councillors - rated by mayoral potential

Who'll be our new leader in October 2025?

It’s a local election year and its generally agreed that a good mayor needs at least one term as an elected councillor. Here’s our, slightly tongue in cheek, rating of the current bunch as to who might make a good new mayor. Please share your own views in comments below! We are ignoring for the time being whether councillors have said they will stand again for election or even if they want to be mayor!

Alphabetical order.

Gavin Bartlett

A strong new entrant with a clear moral compass and not afraid to stand up for his own personal views. Good intellect and good team/people skills. Mayoral potential 7/10

Barry Bruce

Gives a good impression of being an off-the-shelf angry bloke. Not clear what he stands for. Does not say or share much. Mayoral potential 2/10.

Lyal Cocks

Shows some spark and make some good points in council debates. Let down by being an enthusiastic member of the CEO’s pay review committee and the reasons he shares for the 15% pay raise don’t make much sense to the majority of ratepayers. Has been deputy mayor. Potential 5.5/10

Craig (Ferg) Ferguson

Loves the community and the recognition that comes with it. Has now lost his radio presenter gig. Popular. Slow to move with the times and a bit of a fence sitter. Mayoral potential 4/10

Niki Gladding

In many ways the strongest councillor and not afraid to be unpopular. Strong principles and scrupulously honest. A very hard worker. Sometimes gets lost in the the detail of her own arguments. Possibly not good mayor material due to the compromises that would be necessary. Potential 6/10

Lisa Guy

Conflicted due to her family business being a long term QLDC policy supplier - and linked to unpopular projects like the “road to nowhere.” Clearly has not listened to friends and family who must be advising her to stay away from social media. Potential 1/10.