Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, suggested that Wales and Scotland should consider introducing elected mayors to deepen regional devolution [1].
This proposal represents a push to shift power away from central governments and into the hands of city and regional leaders. Such a move would align the governance structures of the devolved nations with the rapid expansion of mayoral authorities seen across England [1].
Burnham said that this model could facilitate better cross-border cooperation. He specifically noted that North Wales could work more closely with the North West of England, while Mid-Wales could coordinate more effectively with the West Midlands [1].
"Maybe there's an argument for deeper devolution, so more power into the cities and the regions of Wales," Burnham said [1]. He said that this would be "of the kind of devolution that is developing now quite quickly across England" [1].
While Burnham focused on structural governance, the Prime Minister addressed specific financial and land-use disputes. The Prime Minister said that appeals from Wales to gain control over the Crown Estate will be "given a fair hearing" [2].
The Crown Estate manages a vast portfolio of land and seabed, and control over these assets is a recurring point of tension between the UK government and the Welsh administration [2].
The suggestion for mayoral roles in Scotland and Wales would introduce a new layer of political accountability. In England, mayoral devolution has been used to give local leaders more control over transport, housing, and economic development [1].
“"Maybe there's an argument for deeper devolution, so more power into the cities and the regions of Wales."”
The proposal to export the English mayoral model to Scotland and Wales suggests a shift toward 'functional' devolution, where economic geography and regional clusters take precedence over national borders. By encouraging North Wales and Mid-Wales to align with English regional hubs, the strategy aims to streamline economic growth and infrastructure planning, though it may face political resistance from those who view it as a dilution of national autonomy.
