Bristol’s mayor, Marvin Rees, would rather talk about affordable housing, social justice and addressing inequality than about statues and empty plinths

“If I expended all my political capital over a statue I would have none left to deal with the things that will really tackle inequality,” Bristol’s mayor, Marvin Rees, told The Daily Telegraph this week.

At first glance, Rees looks custom-built to lead a city long known for hipness, artiness and general up-and-comingness. A youthful and charismatic 48-year-old, he looks good in a sharp suit. He was suddenly thrust into the global headlines last month when the statue of Edward Colson was toppled, defaced and pushed into Bristol Harbour in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests. The statue was recovered, and Rees announced it would be put in a museum. When a statue of a protester by artist Marc Quinn was put on the plinth in Colston’s place, Rees ordered it to be taken down. He has established a commission to look into the history of the city that he hopes will help find a solution that brings unity.