Make your own manifesto - Metro Mayors
Author: Dermot FinchDate: 24/09/2009
Publication: New Statesman
Labour should go for "metro mayors" - powerful leaders with a direct mandate from an entire metropolitan area. Three steps are needed. First, a commitment to mayors in principle, as the best governance model for our biggest cities outside London - highly visible, directly accountable and able to take tough decisions on tax and spend. Second, a first wave of metro mayors in the four biggest metropolitan areas outside London - Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Greater Birmingham and Leeds city-region. Third, real financial powers for metro mayors, including direct control over housing, transport and skills budgets - and the ability to raise local tax, including the whole of the business rate.
It would be a bold step for Labour, but the political and economic case is strong. Metro mayors would unlock the financial powers that our biggest city-regions need to invest in transport, housing and skills. They would mark a real shift in the balance of power from Whitehall to cities, re-engage millions of voters and provide a clear alternative to quangoland. If Labour wants to hold on to power, it will have to give some away.
A version of this article first appeared in the New Statesman.
