7/ But this is still a real test for the model. Mayors will need to build coalitions around shared regional priorities – which may prove particularly difficult on contentious issues like housing and planning, where local interests often diverge.
Harriet Shaw
5/ This new landscape could make it harder to build stable coalitions to back housing, transport and investment plans - at a time when mayors are taking on greater powers. 🏠🚋
For anyone looking for something to listen to in the sun this weekend, do check out this podcast from my brilliant colleague @matthewfright.bsky.social where he explores how the local elections might impact the LGR process.
2/ MSAs are built around collective regional decision making. Council leaders sit on their boards and have votes over devolved powers and budgets.🗳️
Until now, many Labour mayors governed alongside largely Labour controlled councils. For many of them, the May local elections changed that.
4/That's a major shift for Labour mayor Tracy Brabin. Even with simple majority voting (including the mayor) now the default, MSAs may become more divided and issues more contested – where they previously tended to operate through consensus.
3/ Take WYCA. Before May, all five of its councils were Labour run. Now Reform UK controls Wakefield and Calderdale, will lead Bradford as a minority, and is the largest party in Kirklees (still unclear who will run things there). Labour also lost its majority in Leeds, but is still largest party.
6/ Cross-party working isn't new. MSAs were designed to require collaboration between mayors and council leaders. In EMCCA, Labour mayor Claire Ward governs with a politically mixed group of Reform UK and Labour-led councils and in TVCA, Conversative mayor Ben Houchen works with Labour leaders.
1/ I’ve set out why recent local election gains by opposition parties – especially Reform UK – could make it harder for Labour mayors in the North and Midlands to get things done.
A quick thread 🧵
8/ 🔗 Read the full comment here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/refo...
Harriet Shaw
Harriet Shaw
The 12th July is just over a month away and the lead up starts weeks before. If the UK government and NI executive don't get a grip on this asap it will roll into July, and escalate in Northern Ireland. This is a real test of leadership for both.
