Joe Anderson after winning the mayor vote in May 2012. Photo by Liam Deveney
Mayor Joe Anderson has won the backing of the people of Liverpool but not an overwhelming vote of confidence, in an exclusive street poll conducted by JMU Journalism.
Following last weekend’s national media reports criticising his expenditure – which were robustly defended by Anderson – we asked citizens for their verdict on him, a little over 10 months since he became the city’s first directly-elected mayor.
Our team of reporters went out into Liverpool this week and asked those who recognised a photo of Anderson if they think he is doing a good job as Mayor – and just under half of them gave him the thumbs-up.
Of the 354 answers we received, 49% (175) gave a positive response, with 35% (123) being negative and the remaining 16% (56) said they didn’t know or it was too early to tell whether Joe Anderson is an effective mayor.
The poll was conducted from March 26-29, although the relatively small 350+ sample was not guaranteed to be representative in a city where just over 100,000 people voted in the 2012 Mayoral Election.
As our poll was not designed to test his recognition factor, anyone who did not know who he is did not cast a vote.
This largely filtered out respondents from outside the region and the vast majority of people who expressed a view were from Liverpool or Merseyside.
More than one person thought the picture we showed might be movie director Alfred Hitchcock, while another asked if it was Winston Churchill.
Unsurprisingly, a large number of responses focused on the issue of spending cuts, as the Labour Mayor has to contend with making £32 million cuts from the council budget in 2013-14 – with £149 million more required in the next three years’ budgets.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson © Trinity Mirror
Toni Hanley, 30, of Liverpool told JMU Journalism: “Yes, under the circumstances I do like him especially through the cuts. He’s doing well because these aren’t coming from him, they are coming from above and he’s doing his best to make it fair.”
Julie Carter, 51, of Edge Hill agreed, saying: “Yes I think so; he’s listening to us in Liverpool and standing up to the government over all the cuts we have to make.”
However, others like Karen McIver, 34, of Liverpool believe Anderson is not doing his best to protect the city during the recession and austerity measures. She told JMU Journalism: “No. He is sitting back and letting the government make all these cuts and take our money. It’s completely unfair.”
But Martin McGrath, 63, of Liverpool said: “I can understand why people are upset about the cuts, but they must realise that there is not enough money to pay for everything that we’ve had in the past. He’s reigning in all the waste and is trying to force departments to be more efficient.”
Another hot topic proved to be the government’s new ‘bedroom tax’, with Kate Collins, 46, of Wirral saying: “The bedroom tax here would hit families hard. He needs to do more to try and stop that from coming in.”
Edward Bucknall, 46, of Kirkby also said: “No, I think what he’s doing is wrong. I’m a Labour man but Joe Anderson isn’t doing enough to fight the cuts. He should have fought the bedroom tax more. I can’t actually believe this is getting introduced. This country is going to fall apart soon with policies like this.”
Meanwhile, Bill Healy, 55, of Old Swan spoke for those who feel judgement should not yet be passed on Anderson when he said: “It’s too early to say. He hasn’t been Mayor for very long has he? I think it’s worth giving him a chance first before people start moaning about him and his policies.”
The decision to scrap weekly bin collections in Liverpool, which Anderson said would not happen in his mayoral election manifesto, was a recurring source of disapproval.
CEO of Liverpool Vision Max Steinberg, PM David Cameron and Mayor Joe Anderson © Facebook/International Festival For Business 2014
A small number of those we asked raised the matter of Anderson’s pay which rose to £66,000 when he was elected last year, having previously been paid £52,000 when he was council leader. However, this figure is lower than the £79,500 which had been recommended by an independent panel.
Several people made references to the 55-year-old Liverpool Mayor’s persona, with some suggesting he should exercise more restraint when speaking in public but others feel that his combative style is ideally suited to the task he faces.
While 70-year-old Liverpudlian Catherine Evans said: “Sometimes I hear him say things on the TV and think ‘wow’ you shouldn’t say that…”, on the other hand Doreen McDonald, 62, of Maghull told JMU Journalism: “He is a very strong bold man with a big mouth, that’s what this city needs.”
Stuart Franklin, 69, of Liverpool said: “I trust him and that is why I voted for him. He works very hard and tries to put this city on the map – that’s brilliant.”
Scroll down through the comments below to read an edited selection of our poll result answers.
Additional reporting by: Kieran Etoria-King; James Busby; Katie Dodson; Georgia Dunning; Hollie Bradbury; Karen Coe; Hannah Anderson; Stephanie Bewley; Kaltun Abdillahi; Martin Abbott; Catherine Cunningham; Niamh Conway; John Elsworth; Alicia Birt; Liam Cotton; Connor Dunn; Jonathan Coupe; Jake Cottrill; Anthony Fisher; Rebecca Cookson; Josh Kelsall; Emily Lewis; Holly Jones; Eleanor Finn; Melissa McFarlane; Dan Goulding; Alice Kershaw; Angharad Millington; Emma Groves; Emma Mardsen; Lewis Mellor; Josh Handscomb; Amy Holdsworth; Sophie Lockett; Ruby Molyneux; Ben Matthews; Matthew Judge; Adam Jones; Billy McClure; Luke Holliday; Sarah Hancocks; Olivia Swayne-Atherton; Jana Sutenko; Samantha Gaulter-Green; Hannah Cain; Megan Hill; Daniel O’Sullivan, Sean Purvis; Michael Glynn; Daniel Wilson; Emma Menio; Richard Eves; Conor Gregory; Daniel Wright, Natalie Townsend; Georgie Whitworth; Owen Swift; Adrian Speed; Daniel O’Brien; Samuel Peers; Josie Timms; Laura Schumann; Shanaine Munroe; Beth Rogers; Imogen Sweeney; Charlotte Woolford; Lydia Morris; Josie O’Sullivan; James Tomlinson; Lauren Pulford; Kayleigh Watthey; Hannah Perselli; Bethan Tolley; Jovan Stacic.
Gill Lyons, 44, Liverpool
“Yes I do like him, except for the situation with the marathon…. they’ve had all sorts of problems. But yeah I do like him. He’s profiled the city a bit, it’s looking nice but I don’t like the way they can’t fund things like the marathon.”
Toni Hanley, 30, Liverpool:
“Yes, under the circumstances I do like him especially through the cuts. He’s doing well because these aren’t coming from him, they are coming from above and he’s doing his best to make it fair.”
Lindsey Marltan, 38, Liverpool
“I don’t see the point in a mayor. He had a job as leader of the council and I don’t see why we need a mayor… I think he’s just a figurehead. I think he’s just a media tart to be honest, he loves the press and he’s all mouth and no action.”
Mike Hunter, 50, Wirral
“I don’t live in the city centre – I live on the Wirral – but no I don’t. I’d like to think that his heart was in the right place but I think he does fuel speculation and I think as mayor, he should be impartial.”
Steve Lunt, 46, Kirkby
“No. He’s got no respect for the vulnerable and no respect for the disabled. With the amount of care homes shutting down he must be ashamed of himself.”
Bernard Rowan, 72, Vauxhall
“There’s not much he can do to alter the way things are and with the added pressure coming from the central government, I’d say he’s doing a fair job.”
Jo Cullens, 55, Aigburth
“Not much. He is [running] a local authority and he should be doing more to protect the tenants.”
John Ryker, 59, Liverpool
“No I think he’s a load of rubbish… he put the council tax up. The Prime Minister and [Nick] Clegg could have stopped this. This bedroom tax, well I’ve got my own house so I’m alright but if you’re unemployed then you could be paying up to £28 extra every two weeks and their rent could go up as well but they don’t think about that do they?”
Benedicto Mukala, 22, Bolton
“Yes I do like him but I think the way he goes on about how passionate he is about the city, then maybe he should be doing more especially with the recent cuts.”
Steven Ryan, 39, Liverpool
“No. He isn’t getting enough done. There are other politicians out there who could do better than him.”
John Moore, 32, Liverpool
“No. The bedroom tax hasn’t been sorted and they don’t know what the job of a mayor consists of.”
Julie Carter, 51, Edge Hill:
“Yes I think so; he’s listening to us in Liverpool and standing up to the government over all the cuts we have to make.”
Gareth Hunt, 46, Huyton:
“No, not at all. He has made it clear he’s angry over the government’s cuts, but he still puts our council tax up. They’re all the same.”
Stuart Franklin, 69, Liverpool
“Yes. I trust him and that is why I voted for him. He works very hard and tries to put this city on the map – that’s brilliant.”
Katherine Williams, 24, Liverpool
“Yes. He’s trying his best to stop us paying for the cuts.”
Lesley Barron, 31, Toxteth
“Yes. He has shown he cares for the people of Liverpool. He takes time to come out and listen to all of us about what changes we want.”
Mike Davies, 27, Edge Hill
“I’m not sure really. He hasn’t been in charge for very long but unless he does more to stop these cuts, I don’t see him being re-elected.”
Dean May, 22, Liverpool
“Yes, so far he is, but it’s tough at the moment and more needs to be done to help the people of the city.”
Richie Cork, 40, Liverpool
“Yes. He has kept his promise to put the people of Liverpool first and publicly vents his anger over the cuts.”
Karen McIver, 34, Liverpool
“No. He is sitting back and letting the government make all these cuts and take our money. It’s completely unfair.”
Mark Townend, 44, Everton:
“Yeah he’s doing great. I know he can’t meet everyone’s needs but he’s doing his best and taking notice of us.”
Denis Grimes, 64, Toxteth
“I don’t know much about him, I know more about Liverpool City Council in general. He seems to be doing a good job. He really does seem to be. He’s trying his best. The Liberals have proven what they are – closet Conservatives, you know yourselves, you know the tuition fees. UKIP have got no chance.”
Ahmed Rghif, 50, Fairfield
“I don’t think so, no. He doesn’t stick to the stuff, what the government says, he doesn’t fight it back. He’s just: ‘go ahead with whatever comes from government’. He doesn’t fight back. He’s weak with the government.”
Tom Bartley, 26, Vauxhall
“No. I just don’t reckon he is, he should be on Merseyside time. He should be pushing things more, he’s doing the wrong thing.”
Terry Caldwell, 50, Fairfield
“You never hear of anything that is happening so, if he does [create jobs, build schools] then it is work for Liverpool. If he’s doing that then, good on him, that’s what we need in the city, work and education, that’s the main thing.”
Christina Lee, 33, Kensington
“I’m not quite sure really, I don’t really know what he’s done and what he hasn’t done. He done improvements with that [the waterfront] and he kept the short staff open. It’s just the cutbacks really, that’s the income, because I’m disabled, and he’s doing a lot of cutbacks for disabled people, and I think he should keep as they are.”
Mick Carney, 40, Bootle
“No, he isn’t doing a good job – but none of them are worth a carrot, or the £70,000 they get paid. It’s terrifying that the fiscal responsibility of this town rests with these councillors.”
Adam Brizzell, 22, Garston
“No, we’ve been petitioning for a skate park in Garston for at least 12 years with no success. Anderson spends money on silly monuments which could be better used.”
Brandon Watson, 23, Garston
“He may be doing the right thing in his eyes, but he could prioritise a lot better, instead of spending money on bus stops that get smashed.”
Geoff Brown, 67, Sefton Park
“No – the roads and infrastructure are shoddy – but considering the constraints central government place on him, he’s doing the best he can.”
Dennis Emery, 62, Picton
“I’ve not personally noticed any difference since his election. He’s done what is necessary, but is local government any good to anyone? He could save money by getting rid of the previous councillors.”
Trish Broadhead, 32, Blackpool
“Yes, I think he’s trying to improve things and he’s trying to get businesses growing in the region.”
Billy Dollelly, 61, Kensington
“Yes, a lot of people try to oppose him but he does a decent job and he’s a good socialist. There’s no socialism in this country anymore.”
George Batt, 67, Kensington
“No, I don’t think he’s doing a good job at all. Every time he wants to cut money out of something, he always blames the government.”
Jayne McCormick, 48, Kensington
“No, I don’t, I think he’s trying his best but he’s not sort of seeing what’s really going on. He’s pleasing the government in my opinion.”
Martin Quirk, 47, Bootle
“Yeah, I think he’s doing a good job, I follow him in the news. I know he’s under a lot of flack from the Conservatives and he could have done things better but overall I think he’s doing a good job.
Jeff Smith, 58, Kensington
“I’ve said this, no I don’t think he’s doing a good job, I think he’s forgotten his background.”
Mark Debaney, 46, Broadgreen
“No, I don’t think he’s doing a good job at all. I don’t agree with a single word that comes out of his mouth, I think he’s a hypocrite.”
Sarah Crosby, 29, Huyton, Liverpool
“No, I think he’s really arrogant and I just don’t agree with him. He acts as if everyone’s against him.”
Alan Green, 27, Kirkby
“From what I’ve seen in the news no, I don’t think he’s doing a good job. I think he contradicts himself and he’s always got someone else to blame.”
Lauren Ruddock, 19, Huyton
“I don’t really know whether he’s doing a good job to be honest, but I saw him on the news once and I didn’t like something he said, just didn’t come across as a genuine person and what he was saying contradicted itself.”
Jade Hind, 20, Birkenhead
“Yes. He’s done the best he can with what he’s been faced with, especially with these cuts. A Labour leader was always going to do the job.”
Liam Jones, 26, Llandudno
“Yes. I’m not from Liverpool, but I follow politics, and from what I can see he is making the best of a bad situation at the moment. He’s got the people of Liverpool in his best interest.”
Brian Parker, 66, Liverpool
“Yes. Well, under the circumstances he is having a hard time with the cuts and what have you. He can only do the best he can with the money he’s got, it’s like everyone else.”
Keith Ball, 51, Liverpool
“I don’t know. He’s doing reasonable. There’s money getting wasted here, there and everywhere, which could be spent elsewhere.”
Frank McKenzie, 67, Waterloo
“Yes. He’s got a tough job to do and he’s doing the best he can, isn’t he?”
Steve Jones, 55, Liverpool
“I don’t know. I don’t think he communicates enough with people on what he is doing.”
Jo Cropper, 46, Southport
“I don’t know. Some things are alright, and some things are not really. I think that everything he is doing is right; he’s on his own out there sometimes. He just needs to take on other people’s views, as he is not quite representative.”
Alison Smith, 49, Liverpool
“Yes. He’s doing alright as far as I can tell at the moment. He’s doing his best in very difficult circumstances, but the way that he manages the city on the whole has the welfare of the people at heart.”
Liz Dodd, 53, Huyton
“Don’t know. I don’t think he has been in power long enough to make any significant changes. I think he is beginning to make strides.”
Mike McDowell, 70, Liverpool
“Yes. I like Joe, he’s great. I’ve known him for a few years. He’s understanding, and knows what he is doing.”
Jane Hitchmough, 55, Knotty Ash
“I don’t know. Well I’m not really sure what he’s doing, I’ve not really seen anything in the papers to see that he has achieved certain goals that he has set out.”
Ian Davies, 45, Liverpool
“I don’t know, not really. I think his hands are tied behind his back by the government with the cuts and everything. It’s like if your mum gives you pocket money and she usually gives you £20 a week, then she starts to give you £10 a week, you can’t buy as much then, can you?”
Lesley Dean, 61, Wirral
“No, I didn’t vote for Joe Anderson because I don’t think that he’s properly dedicated to the city. I feel like he pretends he’s passionate about Liverpool but so far he hasn’t really kept to any of his promises.”
Joanne Mitchell, 39, Liverpool
“I don’t feel like he’s done a very good job so far especially with all these cuts he’s making. I don’t want my children to have to settle for less.”
David Haier, 25, Childwall
“I never thought it was a good idea to have a mayor in the first place but I think Joe’s doing okay considering the financial problems everyone’s having. I’d rather a Labour mayor over a Conservative any day.”
Jim Murray, 68, Toxteth
“I don’t know really. I can’t really think who would be able to do a better job to be fair. It’s still early days yet.”
Caroline Walters, 53, Liverpool
“Yes I think he’s doing a great job so far. He’s done lots for this city and I don’t think recently he’s getting the credit he deserves.”
Frank Wrigley, 75, Widnes
“He’s just like any other politician. He cuts everything that is important to the people and uses our money to pay for his own keep. Every decision he makes just pushes the poor further into trouble and the promises he made have counted for nothing.”
Steven Bartok, 40, Wirral
“I don’t really know. I don’t know much about his politics but he’s only had a year so far and things take time before anything will change.”
Jess Langton, 22, Liverpool
“He’s doing OK. There’s been quite a lot of development in Liverpool lately which will hopefully bring more jobs for young people which is never a bad thing.”
Veronica Tate, 51, Knowsley
“He’s the first guy to be the mayor and what he’s done so far is alright. I think he just needs to be given more of a chance to show that he can do the job.”
Maggie Passmore, 65, Liverpool
“No I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He’s getting rid of things here there and everywhere and soon there’ll be nothing left. My grandchildren will be growing up in this and it’s not the way things should be going.”
Tim Harrison, 39, Liverpool
“No, he’s not very honest with the people. I think he comes across as arrogant and I don’t see how someone like that can be admired and be trusted to run Liverpool.”
John Cullingham, 48, Liverpool
“Yes. At the minute he is but I think any mayor would struggle with incoming cuts.”
Jackie Cleator, 61, Wavertree
“I don’t know. Possibly not, he seems to be more out for himself than for the council. He’s out for himself.”
Joe Stanley, 51, Birkenhead
“Yes, he seems pretty prosperous considering the state of the economy right now.”
Michelle Twomey, 46, West Derby
“Yes, but sometimes you think they do and sometimes you think they don’t. I don’t think anybody else would be able to do it better. Obviously he was the right man for the job because he was voted in.”
Janice Wild, 49, Heswall, Wirral
“Yes, he has brought a lot of development and investors into the city which means lots of jobs with all of the new building developments.”
Alan Bateson, 53, Kirkby
“He promised us one thing, got the full support from us all then changed everything he promised and put people out of work.”
Dianne Schmechel, 53, Liverpool
“Yes, he’s doing his best I suppose under the circumstances.”
William Taylor, 67, Liverpool
“No, not particularly. He’s turned his back on everything he believed in.”
Lesley Baker, 39, Toxteth
“I don’t know really, he obviously knows what he’s doing but the way he goes about things is a bit strange.”
Ian Dickinson, 35, Liverpool
“I like him, he’s trying to get more involvement in the community.”
Peter Macdonahaigh, Liverpool
“No, I think he’s overpaid and underworked.”
Becky Dorley, 19, Bolton
“I think he’s doing a good job in a difficult time, he’s making cuts that need to be made.”
Jered Christian, 40, Liverpool
“I think he’s doing OK, it’s a hard struggle at the moment, as there are no jobs, it’s very tight. I’m in business and it’s hard, no one else can find a job. They’re trying to get people off the dole, but anybody would have a hard time.”
Matthew Parry, 29, Liverpool
“He’s caused a lot of problems, everyone is worried about their jobs because of him. Liverpool gets a disgraceful reputation already, and then look at him! Also, the town is a mess. I called the council about these tree roots poking out of the pavement here [on Parker Street], and four months later they showed up and they hardly did anything about it.”
Barry Johnson, 56, Liverpool
“He’s not doing too bad, he’s getting things right, but you’ve got to give him time. Things are going in the right direction.”
James Perry, 41, Norris Green
“I don’t think he’s doing anything. I get the bus to work in the morning – down our road they put a luminous sign saying ‘local buses only’. That must have cost at least £500, to put that next to a bus stop! And there’s one at every stop in my area, that must have cost several thousand pounds. All that money, and yet they say there’s nothing in the coffers and they have to make cuts.”
Ian Davis, 33, Liverpool
“He’s doing alright, not too bad. I like him, he’s trying to do a lot for the city, doing a good job. He seems a good mayor, he seems to want to do things for the city.”
Doreen McDonald, 62, Maghull
“Yes, I do think that he is. He is a very strong bold man with a big mouth, that’s what this city needs.”
Angela Green, 35, Speke
“Yes, he has strong leadership skills, he has just been placed in difficult circumstances. I don’t think anyone else would be willing to take on his role at the moment.”
Terry Gammon, 52, Crosby
“No, I didn’t vote for him in the mayoral election. I think he is in this to be more of a local celebrity rather than a leader. I can’t be doing with all this ‘family man’ stuff.”
Graham Watson, 43, Liverpool
“I don’t know, I don’t pay too much attention to politics. But what I have heard of him seems to be quite petty comments aimed at other politicians, it doesn’t seem he is providing much structure to the city.”
Nicola Walker, 27, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m pro-Joe because he presents himself well and has taken on a mammoth task running the city of Liverpool, which let’s be honest, has never had a good political background.”
Kate Jones, 32, Crosby
“No, I don’t think he has been making good decisions; he hasn’t even stuck to his initial plans so far. It’s only going to get harder for him over the next few years.”
Brian Greggory, 50, Kirkby
“Yes, I do agree with big Joe and the way he has been going about things. He comes across really well; he’s always talking about his family, which makes me really trust him because he’s a family man like myself.”
Dawn Wilkinson, 42, Liverpool
“Yes, he is working hard in these tough times. At the end of the day everyone’s going to suffer we can’t just blame it on one man.”
Zach Barlow, 29, Liverpool
“Yes, whoever was going to take on this job was going to have a big task, because this city is in a state of disarray.”
John Nelson-Sharpe, 34, Wirral
“I don’t know, it’s too early to tell. There are still so many cuts to go through if we come out ok in the end then we’ll know.”
Jack Smith, 31, Liverpool
“No, I do not agree with the cuts he has made. I understand he has had to make some but I feel they should have been made in other areas.”
Jim Cooper, 67, Bromborough
“Yes, I’ve seen a lot of changes in this city over the years; I’d like to see Joe come out on top of this with respect from the city.”
Anne Fradgley, 50, Huyton
“Yes, I think he is doing a good job considering the current conditions and the amount of money that he has to save.”
Joe Brown, 39, West Derby
“I don’t really pay any attention but I agree with some of the decisions he has made.”
Jon Dunnington, 25, Liverpool
“I think it is too early to say whether he is doing a good job or not, I haven’t heard many good things about him.”
Chelsea Williams, 22, Tuebrook
“Yes, I think he is doing a good job in helping people in Liverpool.”
Lee Morris, 31, Dingle
“I couldn’t tell you, because I don’t really pay that much attention. But from all the cuts he has been making I would say no.”
Sheila Morris, 31, Garston
“No I don’t think he is doing a good job. I think he is bringing major party politics into local council.”
Derek Frazer, 21, Wavertree
“I don’t think he is doing a good job because he is for the Labour party and the cuts are astronomical for Liverpool and refused money from central Government.”
Sadie Walton, 19, Wirral
“I don’t think he is doing a good job, I don’t agree with a lot of his policies and I think he has far too much to say for himself.”
Margaret Ferguson, 55, Liverpool
“Not really, there are lots of problems in the city. The roads are abysmal, the street lighting is terrible and there are gaping holes in some of the roads. There have been some nice developments to the city, but he’s missing the peripherals.”
Ray King, Liverpool
“In terms of his profile it’s pretty high because he’s pro-city. Whether he’s done a good job or not I’d have to see more from him.”
John O’Brian, Liverpool
“No I don’t. He needs a good day’s work. He’s never done a day’s work in his life. I think he’s a waste of money.”
Ann Hill, 65, St. Helen’s
“I don’t know. I haven’t really seen much about him to be honest. I’ve seen him on the telly a few times and he sounds alright to me.”
Terrance Cotter, 66, Wirral
“It’s hard to comment on him really. He seems a pretty genuine person but there are all sorts of different arguments these days.”
Terry McCormick, 74, Liverpool
“Yeah he’s alright. He seems to be for the people of Liverpool and he’s better than the Conservatives. Then again, Rin Tin Tin would be better than the Conservatives!”
John Lavil, 58, Liverpool
“No, I think he’s crap. He’s just bowed to do what the Conservatives want to do in government.”
Pat Hennigan, 63, Liverpool
“Not really. Well, what’s he done really? He can’t have done much otherwise I would have heard it. We don’t need a mayor anyway, I think it’s a rip off.”
Dennis Hill, Liverpool
“Yes I think he’s doing a good job. I think he’s brought the city off its feet and back to normality. He’s definitely trying his best.”
Harold Dickman, 82, Liverpool
“I think so. He seems to have got one or two things moving. He’s also very much for the city.”
Pauline Brown, 60, Liverpool
“I think he’s doing OK, he is sticking to his original promises. He is receiving a lot of criticism but he is standing his ground. I admire that.”
Barbara Laver, 77, Garston
“I don’t think he is doing very much, I don’t like him. He seems like he doesn’t have time for people, especially for people in the Garston area and he put the council tax up.”
Lisa Corkhill, 32, Huyton
“I have a negative view of him. He was self-appointed and fixed himself a higher wage. He thinks he is the person to talk to on behalf of his constituency. He also has a plumped-up view of protecting his own wages.”
Don Smith, 66, Liverpool
“He managed to manipulate his position into Liverpool, which wasn’t needed. The role of the Mayor was proposed by Government and is meant to held by someone who is ‘non-political’. He has blatantly used the title of Mayor to put himself into a political position for the Labour party.”
Keith Mason, 36, Liverpool
“Couldn’t say I have noticed any difference since the mayor was elected… the mayor hasn’t changed anything in Liverpool and he has done a no better job than if we had a councillor.”
Tony Bradburn, 34, Birkenhead
“I’m not sure he acts like a normal councillor, he’s not done much, I’m waiting for change.”
Mrs Elizabeth Hammond, 77, Garston
“I didn’t want him to be mayor, Liverpool doesn’t need him, his policies neglect certain parts of Liverpool and I just don’t like that. All Anderson used his ‘Mayor’ title for was to give himself a good rise.”
Tony Ellis, 76, Liverpool
“I wouldn’t know really, because I haven’t heard much about his proposed policies, all I know is he has cut my benefits!”
Vincent Samuel, 24, Walton
“I’m not too sure if he is doing a good job. Recently he opened youth centres in Toxteth which is worthwhile, but he had a go at Prime Minister David Cameron about the cuts, and over-exaggerated about the cuts Liverpool is having to make, but I think Liverpool is quite well funded.”
Mike Johnson, 27, Liverpool
“I don’t think he is doing a good job. We are being overcharged on council tax, we are paying back into the EU and he has done nothing for the local economy. Liverpool has become a complete farce since letting the Conservatives in; he’s Labour so more fool him.”
Margaret Cooper, 48, Liverpool
“I don’t know that much about him, all I know is he is for Liverpool and the people. The government is messing up the country already, I am sure the mayor is just doing the best he can do.”
Jerry Fields, 72, Birkdale
“Yes. I enjoy Liverpool, I lived here in the 60s and I think it’s developed wonderfully well. He must have had something to do with it.”
Janice Darkes-Suttcliffe, 49, Southport
“Yes. I think he is taking the political climate and changing it for Liverpool. He’s playing the government game against them.”
Julie Bishop, 57, Childwall
“I don’t know. It’s hard to tell the difference between what he does and the decisions made in Downing Street.”
John Dolan, 39, West Derby
“I don’t know. What does he really do? I know he’s made a couple of promises, like they all do, that he hasn’t kept.”
Sandra Cleethorpe, 33, West Derby
“No. He talked the talk but he got into power and he couldn’t walk the walk. I’m not a big fan at all. I usually vote Labour but I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.”
Louise Porter, 44, Southport
“Yes. He is making good moves to get investment for the city. His value base is for the people of Liverpool and I think that’s important.”
Ryan McAvoy, 22, Northern Ireland
“Yes. I hear good things. He seems to put more ideas forward for the good of Liverpool. He was an idiot about the thing with the Sun at the weekend though.”
Jason Murray, 28, Kirkby
“No. To me he doesn’t come across very well. He seems very petty and more interested in winning arguments than doing any real good in Liverpool. I’m not sure he’s the right person to be mayor.”
Eileen Lewis, 54, Wirral
“Yes. I think it was time for a change and I think Labour were the right people for that. He’s been unfortunate with all the cuts he’s had to make but I don’t think there’s much he could do. He’s doing the best he can.”
Michelle Lewis, 31, Wirral
“No. I don’t think so. The cuts he’s made are a bit silly. I don’t think he’s taken much time to consider the effects they’ll have. He should do more about the bedroom tax as well, it’s a disgrace.”
Jamie King, 20, Kent
“I don’t know. He’s had a difficult task to do but he could have done more. He spends more time blaming people or making excuses than doing any actual mayor stuff, that’s what the news says anyway.”
Jody Morrow, 33, Kirkby
“No. He’s making loads of cuts and not thinking about who they’re going to affect. Did he not learn anything from the protesters? The people of Liverpool are unhappy and it’s up to him to do something about it.”
Roger Daniels, 62, Southport
“I don’t know, he’s not doing too bad, he’s sympathetic for the city any rate.”
David Cunningham, 38, Liverpool
“Yes, he’s a genius.”
Matt Fairclough, 41, Ormskirk
“Yes, he sticks to what he says and gets things done.”
Niamh Bradshaw, 22, Liverpool
“I don’t think he’s doing too badly, he’s a nice guy. He recently dedicated the upcoming music award to my friend who died in the Bestival accident. He’s a man of the people.”
Hannah Simpson, 19, Liverpool
“Yes, I think he’s doing a great job trying to improve the city.”
Shanice Newsholme, 21, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think any of his changes have affected my life in any way.”
Natalie Kimberlin, 36, Anfield:
“No, the cuts that have been made to my benefits are not helpful for me or my children.”
Thomas Green, 53, Kensington
“Yes, I think he’s doing his best for the city, I do sympathise with the people the cuts have affected but he is the best man for the job.”
Emma Taylor, 31, Liverpool
“No, he’s suppose to be improving the city but the cuts have affected the most vulnerable and have taken key services away from the city.”
Chris Warren, 47, Smithdown
“I don’t know, I think it’s too early to say the cuts haven’t really come into place yet.”
Joe Spencer, 45, Liverpool
“Yes I think he is. I think that he’s had a lot to deal with recently but as long as Liverpool remains in good hands then I’ll be happy.”
Lara Monica, 24, Warrington
“Yes I think he is doing a good job as mayor at the moment but I suppose only time will tell in the grand scheme of things.”
Ruth Davidson, 32, Runcorn
“No I don’t. The cuts made to the families of Liverpool are horrendous and everyone is struggling in the current economic climate.”
Mark Pearson, 34, Wirral
“No I don’t but I do realise that any decisions he’s made are mostly due to the wider government so maybe anybody in his position would find the job to be difficult.”
Karen McCormack, 49, Liverpool
“Yes I think he is but I don’t know how much longer he can keep it up.”
Joshua Browne, 30, Liverpool
“I’m still undecided on the matter to be honest. On the one hand, he is very loyal to Liverpool which is always a good thing to see in the mayor of your city. However, he seems to be struggling a bit recently which is quite worrying.”
Abigail Francis, 19, Wales
“Yes I think he’s doing a good job coping with the pressure he is under. People are blaming him for things that were inevitable.”
Benidicto Mukala, 23, Manchester
“I don’t think he’s doing a good job. He should never have gone into politics… he doesn’t have the right mindset for it.”
William Murray, 45, Liverpool
“I think it’s too early to say how big Joe is doing. After he’s finished making all the cuts then we’ll see if it was worth it.”
Lorna McCarthy, 28, Wirral
“Yes, he’s doing an alright job so far. He’s faced with hard times at the moment but all he does is for the good of the city and its people.”
Danny Stone, 24, Liverpool
“No I don’t think he’s doing a good job at all. I think he’s greedy and all the cuts he’s making are all ways of stopping money coming out of his pocket.”
Marie Carter, 59, Liverpool
“I think he’s doing a good job. He’s coping well with all the issues that Liverpool is facing and I think he will continue to do so.”
Rachael Ryder, 20, Sefton
“Yes. I think under the circumstances and the cuts he has to make, I think he’s doing pretty OK.”
Pat Evans, 62, West Derby
“I don’t know. We’ve managed as a city for long enough without an elected Mayor so I don’t see why we all of a sudden need one now. We’ll just have to wait and see if he can improve the city as much as he says he can.”
Bill Healy, 55, Old Swan
“It’s too early to say. He hasn’t been Mayor for very long has he? I think it’s worth giving him a chance first before people start moaning about him and his policies.”
Jim Baker, 69, Wirral
“Yes. I think he’s not bad. It’s not his fault that he has to make so many cuts to the jobs and libraries etc. We are the ones that elected him so we should be happy with whatever it is he’s doing to make the city better.”
James Mill, 41, Kirkby
“No. He’s cutting jobs which is definitely not what we need at the minute. We’re trying to get out a recession and he’s not going the right way about it. We need someone to take proper care of our city now.”
Annette Robbins, 37, Wavertree.
“Yes, I think he’s doing a good job. I heard he wants to build new schools across Liverpool which I think is a great idea, because I have two young children who will be starting school in the next couple of years, and education is really important. I just hope he sticks to his promises.”
Dave Crawford, 29, Kensington.
“Yes, I think he is because he’s trying to make new jobs for people in Liverpool, and unemployment rates are really high here so I think it’s good that he’s trying to improve it. I’ve been out of work before and it can be really tough so making new jobs is really important.”
Hazel Moore, 23, Aintree
“I’m not sure really, I don’t really know what his policies are so I don’t really know if he is doing a good job. I don’t really have any complaints though so he can’t be doing too bad.”
Jackie Hughes, 55, Sefton
“No, I don’t think he’s really done much of a good job so far as all you hear in the papers is about the cuts being made in Liverpool and the council trying to make us pay rent on our spare bedrooms. He hasn’t done much to stop these so far but hopefully he will.”
Anthony Rossiter, 52, Croxteth
“I think it’s too early to tell really, I don’t think he’s been mayor long enough to have made a difference yet. He has been getting a lot of grief about all the cuts and he seems to be coping well with that so maybe he will do a good job later on.”
Paul Clarke, 54, Sefton
“He’s not doing a good job. I feel for the younger generation, too much is going on in Liverpool at once. I grew up in the 1980s and there were three million people unemployed, mass unemployment figures. The bedroom tax an example of why the country is in a mess. Everyone’s going to make a stand and no one will pay it.”
Tom Bate, 63, Liverpool
“He’s doing as good as he can. He’s realistic, straightforward and knows what he’s doing he won’t be bullied.”
James Kenny, 67, Liverpool
“He is not doing a good job, look at the waterfront in Liverpool for example. It’s already been destroyed and it changed it for the people who used to go down to the Pier Head as a meeting point. The buildings have changed into lego land, once old buildings have gone, it’s gone forever – just like the Cavern Club.”
John Donohue, 41, Liverpool
“I couldn’t tell you if he’s doing a good job, I see him on the news but you don’t really hear from him enough.”
Denise Edwards, 34, Wirral
“I think he’s doing a great job as he stands up for himself and always has Liverpool’s best interest in mind when making cuts. However, I don’t agree with the bedroom tax, I think it’s disgusting.”
Esther Gallagher, 49, Kensington
“I think the mayor of Liverpool needs to rethink some decisions because the cuts are too hasty. He needs to focus on poorer parts of Liverpool and how they can be improved, those parts seem to be forgotten.”
Roy Mitchell, 58, Norris Green
“He’s doing alright. I think the younger generation are benefiting from his decisions more, but he could be doing a worse job.”
Yvonne Thomas, 45, Liverpool
“I wasn’t happy at how most of the schools shut because of the snow, it was pointless and could have been prevented. He is OK but I do think he could do better.” [Joe Anderson also stated his opposition to school closures during the snow]
Phil McFadden, 30, Liverpool
“I don’t understand his policies sometimes. He seems to be coasting along. I want to see more done for people of Liverpool and to listen to us, his money and cuts have been spent wrongly in places, he needs a bit of a shake-up.”
Bridget Swain, 76, Childwall
“I’m not convinced that these cuts he’s making are a good thing, I hope he doesn’t mess the city up, it won’t be in my lifetime that I’ll see the effects of what he’s done.”
Rob Peircy, 29, Liverpool
“I’m not too sure if he’s all he’s made out himself to be, he’s too irrational sometimes. Maybe he is just a power-happy man. Personally I’m not too aware of everything he’s doing for the city but overall he’s not brilliant from what I’ve heard.”
Brian Halls, 62, Norris Green
“It’s hard to say, he has his hands tied by the clowns in charge right now. He can’t really make his mark. I’ve lost faith in the politics of this country to be honest; they all seem similar to me.”
Chris Barker, 40, Wirral
“No, he seems to me to be too busy wanting to fight with everyone. It’s time he stopped moaning about these necessary cuts and just got on with it like everyone else. I personally wanted [Lib Dem] Richard Kemp in as I think he’d be making a better go of it.”
Christine Burnham, 42, Wavertree
“I’d say so, he has a difficult job and to be honest I don’t know an awful lot about his policies but he’s Labour, that’s good enough for me. The Conservatives abandon this city to the wolves anytime they get into power.”
Juliet Hunter-Wilkins, 21, London
“Yeah, sure. I actually think he’s quite funny. Although I do think it’d be nice if elections weren’t dominated by the major parties you know? Give some independents a chance rather than the same old parties.”
Michael O’Sullivan, 27, Garston
“Yes. I think he’s fighting for Liverpool I really do. Whatever people say about him, he is passionate and I think that’s the most important thing. I’m a big socialist and it’s good to see a working class guy at the top.”
Terry Gibson, 39, Maghull
“It’s too early to tell. It’s not an enviable task in these times because there’s just no money to use. I voted for Liam Fogarty, he would have been my choice. He had a lot of common and practical sense.”
Neil Sutton, 37, Kensington
“Yes, I think he’s doing a good job, he’s standing up to the Tories; the cuts they’re making are unacceptable.”
Colin Groom, 52, Toxteth
“I think he’s doing OK. He has a tough job and cannot please everyone, but he’s proving he and the Labour party can handle themselves a lot better than the Lib Dems.”
Hannah Lynch, 23 Aintree
“I’m not aware of many of his policies, but I see in the papers he spent £4,500 on food for one of his meetings, a bit much considering we’re in recession.”
Peter Groves, 57, Old Swan
“No, he’s just like the rest of them. All politicians are as bad as each other and out of touch with reality.”
Gerard Cain, 50 Anfield
“Yes, I think with the cuts he has to make its going to be a very difficult job, but he’s coping well.”
Roy Doolin, 48, Vauxhall
“Yes, the Conservatives are the ones making major cuts at Westminster, and hitting Liverpool hard.”
Irene McLeod, 52, Childwall
“Yes, I think Joe is doing a good job for this city. You know he’s trying his best at a job that can’t be easy and one that others couldn’t do. I think the people who criticise him need to realise he can’t improve things straight away.”
James Doyle, 27, Kensington
“I don’t know, well yes and no. Yes, because he seems like he genuinely cares about the people of Liverpool, but then all the promises he keeps making… we haven’t seen any of them.”
Chelsea Sullivan, 23, Liverpool
“Yes. I have always supported Labour. I think people have to be patient and see what he can do.”
Mark Robson, 36, Wavertree
“No. All these cuts he’s making are not helping anyone. The government like to go on about what they can do for us, when really they’re just taking things away.”
Paul Wright, 48, Liverpool
“Yes. I like Joe and his personality. He’s not intimated by the government like some others are and he’ll stand up for the people of Liverpool.”
Andy Hobson, 34, Bootle
“I don’t know. He makes pledges to build new things in the city, makes it sound fantastic but at the same time he is getting rid of services.”
Becca Rodgers, 39, Liverpool
“Not at all, all he seems to want is money, money, money. He makes it sound like he has our interests at heart but in my opinion all he is after is recognition and money.”
Peter Sutton, 47, Croxteth
“I’m not sure whether to say yes or no because I think he portrays himself out to be this amazing public figure and makes plenty of promises but I’m yet to notice any changes.”
Kathy Goodson, 41, Liverpool
“No, because I have lived in Liverpool my whole life and I haven’t noticed any changes that he has made whatsoever.”
David Kemp, 28, Mossley Hill
“I think he’s doing a good job at bringing more jobs to our city.”
Robert Hughes, 62, Liverpool
“Yes he is doing a good job because he is in touch with everything and seems to be getting quite involved with the city.”
Brendan Sheerian, 48, Liverpool
“Yes he is, it’s a good question really. I think he is one of the few genuine politicians around and he represents the people of Liverpool well. ”
Lindsay Haworth, 38, Liverpool
“Yes, I think so but he doesn’t really do much. I don’t really have much to do with politics so I don’t have a problem with him.”
Ifor Parry, 81, Wirral
“No because I haven’t seen any difference, no difference at all. There has been no improvement since he has been elected Mayor it’s still the same old Liverpool.”
Catherine Evans, 70, Liverpool
“No I haven’t really paid much attention to him, all I seem to be hearing is criticisms but I am quite open- minded. Sometimes I hear him say things on the TV and think ‘wow’ you shouldn’t say that.”
Harry Wynne, 75, Liverpool
“Yes he is, he’s trying to do the best he can for the city but everyone’s struggling into today’s recession. It’s not easy in the current climate.”
Steve Baxter, 50, Liverpool
“Yes he is, the city is up and coming. Liverpool is thriving there doesn’t seem to be much of a recession here. I’ve just came back from down south and there seems to be more of a recession there.”
Tony Roach, 72, Liverpool
“Yes he is, he is doing an alright job but I’m not into politics. He’s got to be alright… he’s a Scouser isn’t he?”
Missy Bolton, 67, Liverpool
“Yes he is, I think he is OK. I’ve had a new housing estate built in my area so I can’t complain… the houses have been tinned up for quite a while and now we’ve got a new estate.”
Barbara Peet, 48, Liverpool
“No because he’s not spending money on the right things. He is not spending money on things that reflect Liverpool as a city and I think he should have spent the money differently.”
Brian Gillbanks, 50, Liverpool
“Yes he is, he’s representing the city anyone who represents the city cannot be too bad.”
David Jackson, 34, Huyton
“Yes, he’s had a tough job to do but I believe he’s managed to do it very well.”
Janet McDonald, 44, Wirral
“I don’t know, it’s too early to tell yet. After a few months I think it should be clear whether he’s been a success or not.”
Kieran Scott, 23, Fazakerley
“No, I think he’s cutting too much from the budget and is blaming the Tories for things he has done.”
Stephen Dunn, 46, Kirkby
“Yes, he’s made some difficult and unpopular decisions but they were decisions that needed to be made due to loss of funding.”
Stephanie Brown, 34, Liverpool
“So far he has done very well, many don’t like him due to the cuts. But he has to make these cuts.”
Derek Martin, 58, Huyton
“It’s a dirty job cutting so many things, but if he didn’t the city would sink. He’s doing what has to be done.”
Gemma Lewis, 26, Heswall
“I wouldn’t have voted for him, but I don’t think the city’s doing badly with him. You’re not seeing all the problems that were there when he started.”
Norman Beecham, 79, Birkenhead
“I’ve always supported Labour, but this council is a disgrace. He is all talk and no positive action.”
Karen Armstrong, 43, Liverpool
“I actually voted for Joe Anderson, and I’m glad I did. I’ve met him recently actually, and he talks to you like a person, not just a voter. He understands the people and what they want.”
Lauren Waterson, 31, Liverpool
“I was hoping for a Liberal Democrat mayor, and I think that would have been better. There won’t be any libraries left soon, and it’s a real shame. They could have done it so differently.”
Robert Boswell, 49, Upton
“It’s only a matter of time before he really lets himself down. I travel here every day and the transport links are terrible. I expected better from him, and the sooner he’s out the better for Liverpool.”
John Cameron, 56, Liverpool
“He was a vote well used for me. I have lived here my whole life and it’s such a better place since he stepped in. I remember what this city became under the Thatcher government. Our council is keeping us safe from that kind of thing happening again.”
Tony Harrison, 38, Liverpool
“Given the cuts he has given by the Tories, I think he has done a pretty decent job. I wouldn’t like to be in his position.”
John Williams, 50, Liverpool
“No I don’t agree with the way he is handling the cuts. I also find him a bit grumpy!”
Emily Molyneux, 44, Liverpool
“He hasn’t kept his promises and seems to be out of control sometimes with some of the comments he makes about other people and parties. I’m also not happy about the cuts made to my local library.”
Lisa Bullock, 60, Liverpool
“Yes I don’t think anyone else would do a better job at this time.”
Michelle Watson, 48, Liverpool
“Given the history of our city and the fact that the Tories do not like our city which can be seen through the budget cuts it has therefore given Joe an impossible task and I believe he’s doing a good job.”
Alex Thompson, 22, Liverpool
“Yes I think he has the city’s best interests at heart and I like his spirit.”
Lydia Maguire, 54, Liverpool
“His life hasn’t been made easy from people above but his larger-than-life self doesn’t appeal to me. He seems to want what’s best for the city but I haven’t seen too much in the past year except my bins being only collected every two weeks.”
Sarah Stirland, 27, Liverpool
“Yes I think he’s doing his best at a very difficult time with the cuts that have been placed on the city.”
Harry Moorland, 23, Warrington
“I think it is hard to tell if he is doing a good job or not at the moment but I think he is doing OK.”
Joey Greenway, 20, Liverpool
“No I don’t think he’s doing a good job, I personally haven’t seen any change at all, apart from things being cut.”
Sean Cassidy, 34, Norris Green
“Yes, I like him, seems to be working really hard and making the best of a bad situation.”
Hannah Meehan, 26, Aigburth
“I don’t think he’s doing that good a job, he doesn’t seem to be listening to the views of the people, which is exactly what people elected him to do.”
Mabel Johnson, 54, Litherland
“I like him. I think he fights for what he believes him and has good intentions for this city.”
Jack Allerston, 18, West Derby
“I think he’s been in a difficult position from the outset, and he’s making the best of it, so yeah I think he’s doing a good job with what he has.”
Heather Peeks, 35, Liverpool
“I don’t like him. I don’t think the situation is as bad as he makes it out to be, he’s just using that as an excuse to be lazy. He should never have decided to become mayor if he wasn’t prepared for it.”
Daniel Moseley, 29, Kirkby
“Yes, he’s got a long way to go but I think he’s getting the hang of it. I feel sorry for him if anything it seems he’s got his work cut out with the Liverpool budget.”
Adam Carroll, 21, Liverpool
“Yes, I think he’s does his best with a bad situation. I blame Cameron for forcing him to cut the budget in the first place. I don’t think Joe knew what he was getting himself in for when ran for election.”
Jessica Kirk, 19, Manchester
“No, I follow him on Twitter and I think he’s petty and childish, you should see some of the things he says to opposition parties.”
Maureen Morris, 51, Liverpool
“Yes, I think he’s dealt with the budget cuts in the best way he could. To be honest I wouldn’t like to be in his position right now I know a lot of people in Liverpool want him out but I think he’s done what he had to do.”
Christopher Smith, 49, Liverpool
“No, too many false promises for my liking. I don’t like how he’s gone back on so many policies that made him stand out from other candidates in the first place.”
Alison Hail, 30, Liverpool
“I don’t know, it’s too early to tell considering they’ve just had the meeting but I honestly can’t see how they’re going to cut the budget by so much again over the next three years. I don’t think the Mayor will stick it out.”
Frank Worth, 62, Liverpool
“Yes, I think he is doing an alright job, better than most would.”
Gary Steele, 50, Allerton
“No, I think it’s another layer of bureaucracy and he could do with losing some weight.”
Stanley Daley, 70, Liverpool
“Yes, it would be the same no matter who was in but at least Labour will fight for the city.”
Elizabeth Williams, 46, Southport
“Yes. His hands are tied, he can only spend what he is given by the Conservatives, it would be worse if they were in control.”
Pat Stevens, 37, Wavertree
“No, he’s putting the [council] tax up when he doesn’t need to.”
Michael Hughes, 43, Tuebrook
“Yes. I can’t see anyone doing as well as Labour; the Lib Dems can’t be trusted anymore – they’re in league with the Conservatives.”
Edward May, 47, Huyton
“Yes. What can he do? Someone has to do it, I’m sure it would be no different if it was someone else.”
Joanne Raby, 35, Crosby
“No, I don’t like him. I’m sure there’s other ways he could have handled the cuts.”
Christopher Kinsella, 54, Liverpool.
“Yes. The Tories have always had it in for the city and will make it as hard as they can.”
Diane Cunningham, 33, Ormskirk
“Yes, I don’t really know much about the politics but it must be a hard situation and I’m sure he’s doing his best.”
Anne Myhill, 61, Toxteth
“Yes, considering the state of the country at the minute I think he’s doing the best he can.”
Anthony Kissock, 28, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think he knows what he’s doing really.”
Caroline Christy, 50, Aigburth
“Yes, but I think his hands are tied with the cuts and things because of the government.”
Margret McNamara, 64, Formby
“I don’t know. Well, he does nothing for Formby. He’s quite a nominal character. To be honest I don’t think he has the same prowess that he has when he was on the council.”
Cathleen Arnold, 79, Wavertree
“Yes. He’s doing a very good job he takes notice of people, especially the everyday people and he listens to them and what they want. I’ve met him once or twice.”
Dean Matthews, 23, Huyton
“Yes he’s doing a good job, I don’t agree with the cuts but I don’t really keep up with politics.”
Ann Reyhnolds, 58, Walton
“Yes, I think anyone in the same position would do the same thing. There isn’t much he can do about it so I think he’s doing a good job.”
Joan Smith, 58, Liverpool
“Yes, I guess he is doing the best for the city because he is from here himself and wants to help, but all these cuts aren’t going in his favour.”
Rick Dainton, 24, Formby
“I don’t know, he is taking a lot away from disabled schools which I don’t like, but he does have to make the cuts whether we like it or not.”
Josh Williams, 32, Walton
“Yes, I think he is. Considering all the stick he’s been getting recently, people don’t realise that it’s not just him who makes the decisions, and he is trying to help our city.”
Richard Donnelly, 54, Devon
“Yes, he’s doing OK. Whoever takes on that role is going to be slaughtered for the cuts. Maybe he should be challenging the government more, but I don’t know if he has already tried that.”
Karen Conner, 49, Liverpool
“No, the cuts are affecting the worst part of society I’d say. He said there would be weekly bin collections, didn’t he? No, I think we need someone more honest.””
Kate Collins, 46, Wirral
“No I don’t think he is doing a good job at the moment, some of the policies going through are ridiculous. The bedroom tax here would hit families hard. He needs to do more to try and stop that from coming in.”
Stephen Thomas, 36, Brighton
“Yes, from what I’ve heard he is doing alright. I suppose the name calling in the Council meetings could be avoided, it’s like a playground. Do we want that running the city?”
Jack Billington, 32, Liverpool
“Yes, I like him. He’s ballsy which is what we need to get back on track with unemployment and stuff like that. We need a big character to take on the Tories and the way they treat Liverpool.”
Laura Graham, 51, Manchester
“No. I don’t really follow politics as much as I should, but from what I know he just seems like a bully.”
Jack Pierce, 26, Walton
“No, I don’t think so. He shouldn’t go on these trips as much to other countries, and then we would have more money to spend in our city.”
Darren Lofthouse, 48, Liverpool
“I don’t know what impact he has had in terms of the policies he set out. I couldn’t really tell if he has had a positive or negative impact, it’s too early to tell.”
Will Thomas, 32, Liverpool
“Yes, I think he is. I think he just gets on with things, he doesn’t mess around. I work in property and development and in terms of that I think he is doing a good job of trying to catch us up to Manchester who are about 25 years ahead.”
Alison Hurst, 23, Bootle, Liverpool
“Yes. He’s running our establishment well. He’s doing the best he can with all of these cuts. I don’t think some people realise that there’s nothing he can do about it.”
Pat Shaw, 52, Liverpool
“Yes, he promotes Liverpool well and his policies are working well up to now. I just hope that it continues in the future.”
Lynn Joughin, 51, Walton, Liverpool
“Yes, although I do think his behaviour is a bit childish but he must have a lot on his hands so he is doing a good job.”
Tim Smalling, 29, Liverpool
“It’s too early to say I think. He seems to be keeping things afloat at the minute so we’ll see how he does.”
Sarah Malone, 74, Liverpool
“I don’t know. It’s very debatable at the minute as he has closed a lot of libraries, making cutbacks on education rather than reviewing some unnecessary services. How can we expect this next generation to take our places in governmental system without the use of public libraries. Does economic boost really need to be met with a decline in public welfare?”
Diane Croft, 42, West Derby, Liverpool
“I think it’s too early to say. He’s a nice fella but he has a lot of empty promises and needs to concentrate a bit more on public spaces because this city is a tip.”
Mandy Walker, 51, Liverpool
“Yes, I think with all these cuts he has to make he is doing a good job. The rest of his policies seem to be good and they have worked well up to now.”
Thomas Bell, 36, Liverpool
“It’s too early to say. I think I’ll be able to say whether or not he has after we’ve seen some more of his policies and how he further handles the cuts.”
Austin Anderson, 64, Liverpool
“No I don’t think so. People don’t know who to vote for; Labour is rubbish, Conservative is rubbish, left and right they don’t know which way to go. They want someone that will be on their side, it’s pushing people further and further way, and it’s getting people a bit more annoyed than they should be.”
Joanne Callaway, 51, Liverpool
“No, not really, well I think it’s not him; it’s the government introducing things like the bedroom tax. He is more interested in the city centre than he is for the likes of Breck Road and Anfield and where people have got to live. It’s alright for tourism and that.”
Alfred Stone, 46, Southport
“Yes. He’s going to be like any other local authority; he is just going to have to cope with the resources. I suppose in the scope of what he can achieve he is doing as well as anyone else. I don’t think he has messed anything up yet.”
June Wright, Wirral
“Yes, he seems quite sincere and I’m sure he has got the best interest in Liverpool. I think he is doing OK. I haven’t read anything bad – that’s saying get him out once he has been in for a week.”
Frank Roberts, 61, Liverpool
“Yes. I don’t really think he has got much choice, he is doing OK. In terms of the cuts he is making I think he has to squeeze the money out of somewhere, I don’t personally agree with what he is doing but that’s how it is.”
Luke Owens, 22, Speke
“Yes, I suppose he is doing pretty well, but I don’t agree with what he is doing. He could be doing better, in my opinion but he seems to be trying his hardest really. I don’t particularly have a better say if anyone else could be doing a better job.”
John Stevens, 61, Liverpool
“Yes, I think he’s doing OK. I did vote for him but I have not heard many of his policies. From what I know, I blame the central government and the previous government. To a degree he has to do something. I am completely against the bedroom tax though, I hope he does something about that.”
Edward Bucknall, 46, Kirkby
“No, I think what he’s doing is wrong. I’m a Labour man but Joe Anderson isn’t doing enough to fight the cuts. He should have fought the bedroom tax more. I can’t actually believe this is getting introduced. This country is going to fall apart soon with policies like this.”
Daniel Davison, 31, Liverpool
“Yes he is, I mean he is the first proper Mayor the city has had and I don’t think he is doing a bad job. Of course people will tell you that he is just hitting the poor mostly by introducing these harsh cuts but that is what’s happening all over the country.”
Kaitlin Hamilton, 29, Liverpool
“No, I don’t particularly think he is doing a good job. I know they say with every politician you just have to give them time and that but I don’t even see anything spectacular he has done for the city. I just don’t think that is good enough, if he’s going to sit there and call himself the Liverpool Mayor.”
Kelly Rose, 23, Toxteth
“Yes I do think he is doing a good job. He has dealt with having to make difficult decisions really well and seems to be handling himself OK.”
John Brown, 57, Liverpool
“No. I am really angry that he chose to turn down a government grant and is instead putting up council tax. Does he not realise people are struggling as it is?”
Susanne Little, 32, Wavertree
“I am not sure really. He has only been in office for a year and I think it will take another year for us to see what he has achieved. His job is a very difficult one and I am glad I am not the one making the decisions.”
Louise Swift, 21, Aigburth
“No, I do not really trust him. I think he behaved really strangely at the weekend regarding the Sun’s story on him and that speech he published as a result. I think he overreacted and maybe he is beginning to crack under the pressure.”
Patricia Green, 81, Liverpool
“I think he is doing well. I really like the man and I trust him to help get Liverpool through this difficult time.”
Ben Riches, 44, Liverpool
“No, I do not think he is doing a good job. I think it is awful to see the cuts to libraries. I know people that use to library a lot and by cutting the funding, they are really going to struggle. I am really angry at the Bedroom Tax too.”
Michael Brignall, 56, Walton
“I think he’s doing a good job, being the Mayor must be a really difficult job, and with all the cuts that have to be made, I think people should give him a break. He’s doing the best he can.”
Nicola Pateman, 38, Croxteth
“No, even though I’ve always supported Labour I don’t think he’s doing a good job. Labour is supposed to support working class people, so why are the cuts affecting us so much? I think his decisions like the bedroom tax are a joke.”
Kate Wilson, 49, Liverpool
“It’s a really difficult time with all the cuts being made, but I think that he’s doing a good job. I just hope people see that it’s not his fault and vote him out of office before he has a chance to improve and make the city better.”
Richard Allen, 63, Liverpool
“He is rubbish actually. He doesn’t know the areas of Liverpool well, he just assumes and doesn’t visit them all. I just don’t like the guy.”
W.R.Leach, 68, Knotty Ash
“It depends how he gets on. Although I do know that he just keeps putting my community charge up. It’s going up and up.”
James Doran, 23, West Derby
“I just can’t take to him, it’s like he wants to be a local celebrity. He’s got his finger in too many pies.”
Greg Hadley, 25, Childwall
“No, not at all, he isn’t needed. He wants more money and a better budget for Liverpool but we’ve had money cut and he wants to hire a spin doctor whom will get paid £100,000 a year.”
Patricia Jones, 40, Liverpool
“I think he’s doing an alright job so far, there’s only so much he can do. He could actually do more to stop the bedroom tax in Liverpool though. I feel like not enough is getting done to stop that.”
Mark Rennie, 29, Crosby
“I guess so, he was sound through the whole Hillsborough thing.”
David Leatherbarrow, 28, Croxteth
“No I don’t think he is, he agreed as part of his political manifesto to keep refuge collections as a weekly service, he didn’t keep to this when he agreed to a council vote on the issue, I think this was a way of removing guilt for going back on his promises. This shows him as a true politician rather than a public servant.”
Lauren Brown, 24, Netherley
“Yes I think he’s doing OK, he resisted public pressure to set an illegal budget – allowing Liverpool to gain a good reputation and prosper, unlike under the Conservatives in the 1980s.”
Lauren Lavin, Halewood
“No. Joe Anderson needs to ask himself, what people would come to Liverpool for and pay to stay in hotels, when he’s finished destroying the architecture of this city? He is redeveloping the Dock Road area, destroying buildings, which are hundreds of years old.”
Michelle Coyle, 36, Anfield
“If he was doing a good job then people in the city would not be forced to pay the higher taxes, it feels like it’s getting worse actually. I just don’t think it’s fair.”
Derek Leah, 51, Liverpool
“Yes. You’ve got to wonder what policies that he would choose are and what are policies that are forced on him by the current financial situation. So I think he’s doing an OK job so far.”
Sandra Poole, 62, Liverpool
“No. He’s not sticking to his pre-election promises. He pledged that weekly bin collections wouldn’t be cut and now they’re changing to fortnightly.”
Margaret Dickson, 72, Liverpool
“Yes. I think he’s doing an excellent job of getting the city back on track.”
David Baker, 40, Liverpool
“Yes… as long as he doesn’t sell out Liverpool to Peel Holdings.”
Joe Rampley, 19, Blackpool
“I’d say he’s doing an alright job. It’s hard because you can’t measure him against anyone before because he is the first ever mayor.”
Cat Whittle, 22, Bolton
“I’ve lived here a while now and nothing has changed pretty much since he became mayor. So, no, I wouldn’t say he’s doing a good job.”
Bill Hobbs, 58, Liverpool
“Yeah I think he’s doing a good job. Considering all the problems we’ve got he’s doing well to deal with them.”
Roy Blinkhorn, 63, Liverpool
“He’s not doing a good job. It’s disgraceful. I’ve been made redundant because of him. I walked into the job centre and have been told I’m too old to work.”
Kevin Bond, 54, Bootle
“Of course he’s doing a good job. Alright, he’s done the cuts but everywhere is getting them.”
Mary Cheston, 34, Liverpool
“Every time you read about him and he’s cutting something and he says he has to. I think he could do a better job.”
Ahmed Elsabagh, 31, Egypt
“I think he’s doing a good job, Liverpool is a great city and has a good reputation.”
Michael Hawk, 41, Wirral
“He’s trying to regenerate the city. I live over the water but I think he’s doing a good job and I know he’s trying to improve Liverpool.”
Michael Malvern, 73, Knotty Ash
“I think he’s doing a good job up to now. Everywhere is getting cuts now, it’s very sad.”
Sarah Patterson, 62, Wirral
“Yes, it’s a very tough job. Although cut backs are being made, Joe is trying to make savings where he can whilst under an extreme amount of pressure.”
Julie West, 47, Liverpool
“Yes. He’s keeping the essential services such as transport, albeit passing on costs to the user, whilst cutting non essential amenities such as the golf courses.”
Stephen Johnson, 39, Liverpool
“Yes. As the Labour Mayor, he has been doing a good job with the austerity that’s been passed down from the central government.”
Laura Pearce, 29, Toxteth
“No. He’s making cuts that are hitting the poorest and letting the rich get richer.”
Andrew Thompson, 42, Childwall
“No. He’s not helping those worse off, transport costs are on the increase and benefits are being cut, including this bedroom tax scheme. I don’t know how he sleeps at night.”
Kevin Crockett, 51, Kensington
“No. Years ago it was council tax, and now it’s bedroom tax, when will it ever end? These are obviously Conservative policies that the Mayor has got to deal with.”
Rose Brewer, 57, Liverpool
“Yes, although I don’t particularly think we needed a Mayor anyway, and I would like to see the left move to the left.”
Nick Abbott, 35, Liverpool
“Yes. He’s been the Mayor of this city a year and has had to deal with massive cutbacks from the government, which has had effects on this city. He’s got his intentions in the right place, we’ll just see if he gets his sums right.”
Sue Robinson, 43, Merseyside
“No. What is he doing to help people with disabilities? He’s shutting down help centres and cutting our benefits. Everybody seems to be struggling except the very rich.”
John Collins, 59, Wirral
“No. The fuel duty is getting out of hand, how does he expect people to carry on working to pay these taxes when it’s becoming too expensive to work?”
Ken Allison, 48, Knowsley
“Yes. It’s a difficult job, somebody’s got to do it and he’s doing alright.”
Martin McGrath, 63, Liverpool
“Yes. The city remains vibrant, clean and a favourite tourist destination for many. I can understand why people are upset about the cuts, but they must realise that there is not enough money to pay for everything that we’ve had in the past. He’s reigning in all the waste and is trying to force departments to be more efficient.”
Debra Jones, 42, Fazakerley
“Yes, I think so, I don’t really know that much about politics really but he seems down to earth. I think anyone doing a job like that would make mistakes.”
Kevin Jones, 49, Gateacre
“No, not at all, he says things to keep people quiet, but then does nothing about them so what’s the point in even having a mayor?”
Alan Fitzpatrick, 57, Neston
“Yes, he needs to learn to watch what he is saying because he gets himself into trouble but I think he has the people’s interests at heart and that’s important.”
Tony Harlowe, Liverpool
“Yes, he’s doing okay to be fair but I know he hasn’t got a lot of money so there’s not much he does apart from make cuts.”
Tabby Wilkinson, 31, Wirral
“No, I don’t think he is doing a good job, it’s hard to say whether he is going to be successful or not because he hasn’t really been mayor for that long, but he has said lots and not done anything constructive and he is always making excuses.”
James Macken, 19, Manchester
“Yes I think he’s doing alright, I’ve not lived here very long and I didn’t live here when they did the vote but since I’ve been in Liverpool, I think he’s done a good job. To me, he’s shown a clear plan of what he wants for the city, which I like.”
Jon Hines, 44, Liverpool
“Yes he is; I’ve heard a lot of people saying he isn’t but I don’t think anyone could do a better job. I can’t understand how we’re in debt, but it isn’t his fault, he is just trying to do the best he can with the tools he has got.”
Mary Hart, 72, Dingle
“I don’t know really, he seems brash and a bit of a rogue!”
Christine Kenley, 67, Crosby
“No, he’s such a rude man. I don’t know him personally but I don’t think I’d want to.”
Richard Kelly, 41, Liverpool
“Yeah, I like him, he’s strong-headed and a leader, someone who actually fights for us and our city.”
Olivia Rowntree, 27, Crosby
“I don’t really know because I don’t understand politics too well but I think he seems like an alright bloke. I think he’s doing the best he can really, given the state that the country is in at the moment.”
Drew Walker, 53, Liverpool
“Yes, I voted for Joe. I think he gets a lot of stick for things that aren’t his fault, you know what I mean? If he’s told by David Cameron to make cuts, then he has to make cuts. It’s not fair to blame him.”
Guy Parkin, 30, Wirral
“I don’t know. I think they are all as bad as each other to be honest. Local councils have always been wasteful with the money they have, it’s the same in all the major cities in this country isn’t it?”
Barbara Young, 67, Liverpool
“Yes I do think he is doing a good job. He seems to be doing well with the resources he has got and I don’t think that anyone else could do a better job at the minute.”
Simon Holdcroft, 26, Childwall
“No I don’t think he is doing well, I think it would be better if he listened to the people of Liverpool, instead of going ahead and doing what he is doing to this city.”
Jason Blackmore, 34, Liverpool
“Yeah I think he is doing well. It’s hard for everyone financially at the minute and I think whatever he does will be criticised by those affected by the cuts. It’s a hard job to do.”
Catherine Crompton, 55, Liverpool
“No he is not doing a good job. I didn’t want a mayor for this city in the first place and I still don’t think that we should have one. I am totally against what he is doing but then again I suppose I wouldn’t like to be in his situation.”
Amy Winston, 29, Warrington
“I know who he is and I do think he is doing a good job. I spend a lot of time here and from what I’ve heard from other people and the impression I get from him is that he is doing the best he can with the resources he has. It seems a difficult job to do and I would like to see someone else do a better job.”
Karen Fuller, 40, Wavertree
“Yeah I think he’s doing a decent job, it can’t be easy for him at the moment with all these cuts.”
Scott Yarnall, 22, Kirkby
“I don’t know really, I don’t agree with a lot of the things he’s done but if it’s not him making bad decisions, it will be someone else won’t it?”