Directly-elected mayors would help local government wrestle more control back from Whitehall and prevent the expansion of quangos, the latest report from the NLGN has claimed.

As the Government is set to push for more mayors in the White Paper, due out next month, the think-tank claims a shift to mayors could even help embattled prime minister, Gordon Brown, by decentralising and cutting the impact of the English question.

NLGN director, Chris Leslie, and the IPPR's head of democracy, Guy Lodge, claim local politicians are still ‘stubbornly unfashionable' with their national counterparts. They write: ‘In the absence of elected mayors, central government is likely to continue to bypass local government in favour of empowering quangos.'

‘Had more mayors been in place, we believe the centre would be more willing to consider going down the local government route.'

In the report, Directly elected, direct results, Hartlepool Council's mayor, Stuart Drummond, argues mayors build trust with the public. He urges the Government to give mayors more power over public services in their areas.

‘It is extremely frustrating that our responsibilities don't stretch that far and, unless the Government acts quickly to change this and allow us more responsibility, then I fear the system will start to work against mayors.'

Click here for copies of the report, Directly elected, direct results