News / Politics
Labour opposed to Bristol ‘metro mayor’
Labour groups across the Bristol area are calling for devolution without a “metro mayor”.
In the first of four joint motions expected to be submitted to local councils, the South Gloucestershire branch said it did not want new governance “imposed” on the region.
Manchester – dubbed the Northern Powerhouse – has already been offered new powers and money through a metro mayor who represents surrounding authorities.
is needed now More than ever
The South Gloucestershire motion requests that: “Council confirms its opposition to a ‘metro mayor’ for the West of England and calls on central Government to offer our sub region a full model of devolution at least equal to that offered to other parts of England that does not impose this unwanted structure on the West of England.”
The party argues that councils in the Bristol region, the only net contributor to the treasury outside London, are already working together “constructively”.
The group adds that it wants to see greater powers in the area over transport, housing, policing and healthcare.
The motion asks the Conservative-led council, which meets on July 15, to commit to communicating this “vision” to Westminster.
The move comes as business leaders across the Bristol area are calling for a “swift response” to the Government’s offer of greater power and money through devolution.
Business West, which represents 16,000 businesses in the surrounding local authorities, warned that the region was already “lagging behind” others which have “found a way to work together”.
Bristol Labour Party, the largest party in Bristol City Council, is expected to lodge its own motion at a meeting of full council on July 21.
North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset councils are expected to follow.