As part of their efforts to boost accountability the Conservatives are now championing elected mayors for England's 12 major cities, via referenda.
Caroline Spelman says she wants to put ‘power back in the hands of our counties and districts, towns and cities. And we will give people in our 12 largest cities the choice of an elected mayor'.
The arguments on this are well worn – advocates feel it will raise the profile of local politicians in the eyes of the public and will simplify governance structures. In contrast antagonists are worried about a lack of accountability, the impact of personality, and how the Mayor works with elected local councillors and officers.
Most people don't know the name of their council leader. An Ipsos MORI poll of 1,000 Londoners in 2008 showed that while 20% claimed to know the name of their local elected leader, just six per cent actually knew their leader's name. By contrast, 77% of Londoners can correctly name Boris Johnson as their elected Mayor, even if 32% cannot say whether or not they are satisfied with his performance as Mayor – presumably because they don't know what he is actually doing at the GLA.
The public are usually in favour of elected Mayors for whole cities, not withstanding all the problems, simply because they provide visible accountability and leadership. But most of the local political classes from all main parties are not at all keen, out there on the ground. Because of this, Labour never managed to bring itself to impose referenda in the way the Conservatives are now suggesting, and it will be an interesting test of Conservative localist credentials.
Most politicians are localist in opposition but then find giving away power a real challenge. My personal prediction is that local politicians will continue to be as negative about central government as they are now – especially if David Cameron wins handsomely.
Ben Page is chief executive of Ipsos MORI
