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

Local government reorganisation is a crisis of trust

By Cllr Kevin Bentley | 10 September 2026

Cllr Kevin Bentley says the Government’s approach to reorganisation has damaged finances, trust and confidence within councils.

DEVOLUTION

Healey: Fiscal devolution needed for successful cities

By Joe Lepper | 08 September 2026

Fiscal devolution is needed to ‘transfer power and resources from Whitehall to our regions’, chancellor John Healey has insisted.

DEVOLUTION

MPs versus mayors: The battle to be local champions

By Pete Robbins | 08 September 2026

Pete Robbins looks at the tensions between MPs and mayors vying for the affections of their voters.

DEVOLUTION

Deadlock over December deadline

By Joe Lepper | 08 September 2026

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is bullish on enforcing a statutory deadline of December for councils to submit their local plans, ...

Popular articles by Sam Clayden

-->