Title

DEVOLUTION

John Lewis MD confirms mayoral ambitions

The managing director of John Lewis has announced plans to run as the Conservative candidate for mayor of the West Midlands.

The managing director of John Lewis has announced plans to run as the Conservative candidate for mayor of the West Midlands. 

Following rumours over the past month, the department store confirmed Andy Street had put his name forward for the role and would leave his position if he his application was accepted.

A John Lewis spokesman said: ‘Should Andy be successful in his application, he has agreed with the chairman that he should step down from his role and a further announcement will be made to confirm the succession plan for the future leadership of the John Lewis brand.'

The Conservative party has not yet formally selected Mr Street, who is chair of the the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, as the official candidate. 

DEVOLUTION

The overnight visitor levy could be a gamechanger for growing tourism in London

By Cllr Claire Holland | 24 March 2026

Claire Holland says the overnight visitor levy must benefit London’s local services and help drive growth, and individual boroughs should keep at least half ...

DEVOLUTION

The process for fiscal devolution is clear and the deadline is real

By Mike Emmerich | 20 March 2026

Mike Emmerich says that while much remains unresolved, the Chancellor’s proposition to give local leaders a direct fiscal stake in growth was a shift from rh...

DEVOLUTION

Membership manoeuvres

By Paul Marinko | 11 March 2026

How are the groups representing councils positioning themselves to secure members as the pace of reorganisation increases? Paul Marinko reports.

DEVOLUTION

Borough appoints chief operating officer

By Martin Ford | 04 March 2026

King’s Lynn & West Norfolk BC has appointed Emma Kavanagh as chief operating officer.

Popular articles by Sam Clayden