On May the Fourth, a day celebrated by fans of a certain sci-fi franchise, elections were held to fill the new metro mayor posts in six city regions across England. This was intended to mark the start of a new era of devolved government, reversing decades of centralisation, and shifting the balance of power from London to the neglected North.

This was the ambition at least. But how far is the reality likely to live up to this vision? And what should come next for English regions and cities?

These questions were discussed at the British Academy in London recently. The discussions drew upon a series of round table events with council leaders and academics hosted by the British Academy across the English regions in the months preceding the mayoral elections.