Metro mayors such as Andy Burnham were more recognisable than local authority leaders and MPs in almost every place that has one,and they want Mayors to have more powers according to new public polling from Centre for Cities
Ahead of Mayoral elections in a few weeks Greater Manchester, 83 per cent correctly identified Andy Burnham as their Mayor a figure comparable with London and Sadiq Khan
On average, 74 per cent of people were able to name their directly-elected mayor compared to 20 per cent who could identify their local authority leader and 43 per cent who could identify their MP.
Mayors’ transport policies have attracted the public’s attention the most. Where people could name one of their mayor’s policies, by far the most common were transport policies such as ULEZ and fare freezes in Greater London, the Bee Network in Greater Manchester, and £2 bus fare caps in Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.
Transport is also the policy area where the public most expected mayors to act: Transport was chosen by 28 per cent, followed by business support and crime (both 18 per cent).
People in mayoral areas are in favour of more devolution. Across policy issues, there is an appetite to see decisions made at the local level, whether it is by metro mayors or the local authority. Most respondents believe that local leaders should have more responsibility over housing, transport, and homelessness in particular.
Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said:
“The level of recognition for mayors show they are fulfilling the purpose their role was created for – establishing a visible and accountable leader for their place. The fact that people are more likely to vote for the individual candidate rather than the political party they represent emphasises this. People want local leaders to put place before politics.
“But the findings also show there is still work to do, particularly in the new combined authorities in the North East and the East Midlands, to draw attention to the upcoming mayoral elections.
“A challenge for all of us is to continue to build awareness of and raise the profile of metro mayors. Local news sources, and trusted institutions and individuals have important roles in raising the prominence of mayoral elections and supporting discussions about what issues matter most locally. And in return, mayors must deliver on them.
“The fact that the public wants powers to be held at a local level is good news, and shows a strong appetite for devolution to move further and faster. Places are demanding more of a say over the decisions that make a difference to their lives – housing and transport in particular. Westminster and Whitehall need to respond.”
