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‘A Labour mayor working alongside a Labour government would create natural alignment between regional and national priorities’
When we first took office as regional mayors of our respective city regions, we entered relatively uncharted territory.
The combined authority model represented a bold experiment in English devolution; one that many viewed with scepticism.
Would this new governance arrangement make any meaningful difference to people’s lives? There were some that suggested it would simply add bureaucracy without delivering results.
is needed now More than ever
Several years later, we can confidently say that combined authorities, when led with purpose and vision, have transformed how our regions function.
We’ve witnessed first-hand how this model of collaborative leadership has enabled us to address long-standing challenges and create opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible through traditional, fragmented local governance.
The power of speaking with one voice
Perhaps the greatest strength of the combined authority model is its ability to unite diverse communities and interests around shared regional priorities.
In the Liverpool City Region, we’ve aligned the efforts of six local authorities to focus on strategic priorities like economic development, skills and transport.
By working together rather than competing against each other, our communities have achieved outcomes that would have been impossible in isolation.
Similarly, in Greater Manchester, we’ve brought together ten local authorities to speak with one voice on issues ranging from transport to homelessness.
This unified approach has given our region significantly greater influence when negotiating with central government and attracting investment.
Delivering tangible results
The success of combined authorities isn’t measured by political theory but by the tangible differences they make in people’s everyday lives.
In Greater Manchester, we’ve revolutionised public transport through bus franchising, implemented fare caps and introduced Our Pass to give young people free bus travel and access to opportunities.
We’ve also made significant strides in tackling homelessness through our A Bed Every Night programme, demonstrating how regional coordination can address complex social challenges.
In the Liverpool City Region, we’ve delivered brand new publicly-owned fully-accessible trains for our Merseyrail network, established a £500m Strategic Investment Fund and have delivered publicly owned digital connectivity.
We’ve also leveraged our position to secure substantial government funding for transformative projects through successful devolution deal negotiations.
The crucial relationship with central government
Our experience has taught us that the relationship between combined authorities and central government is pivotal.
When local and national priorities align, progress accelerates dramatically. Conversely, misalignment creates friction that slows everything down.
Working with a government that understands and supports devolution makes an enormous difference.
It’s not simply about securing funding – though that matters – but about having partners in Westminster and Whitehall who recognise the value of empowering regions to develop solutions tailored to their unique circumstances.
Lessons for the West of England
As we look at the potential of the West of England Combined Authority, we see a region with extraordinary assets and opportunities.
With its world-class universities, cultural vibrancy, and innovative business sectors, the ingredients for success are all present.
The West of England needs a new chapter with leadership that can harness all of its strengths through genuine collaboration and Helen Godwin is best placed to lead that; with her experience in local government and the private sector.
The most successful combined authorities aren’t built on mayoral authority alone but on the ability to bring together councils, businesses, voluntary organisations and communities around a shared vision.
A Labour mayor working alongside a Labour government would create natural alignment between regional and national priorities.
We’ve seen in our own regions how this alignment can accelerate progress, simplify decision-making, and deliver better outcomes for residents.
The West of England has all the potential to rival other leading city regions, but realising this potential requires leadership that understands the power of partnership.
With aligned local and national governance, the region has an unprecedented opportunity to address challenges from transport connectivity to housing affordability to climate resilience.
A call for regional ambition
As fellow regional mayors, we’ve witnessed the transformative impact that combined authorities can have when led with purpose and vision.
The West of England stands at a pivotal moment. With the leadership that Helen Godwin will bring to the role -leadership that builds bridges, forges partnerships and champions regional interests – it can accelerate its progress and deliver the ambitious change that communities across the region need and deserve.
The evidence from our regions is clear: combined authorities work. They enable strategic decisions that transcend traditional boundaries. They amplify regional influence on the national stage. And most importantly, they deliver tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives.
The West of England’s time for a new chapter has arrived. Let’s not lose the opportunity to bring similar transformation that we’ve made to our regions to the West of England.
Vote Helen Godwin on May 1.
This is an opinion piece by Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region
Steve Rotheram (left) is mayor of Liverpool and Andy Burnham (right) is mayor of Manchester – photo: Labour Party
Main photo: Labour Party
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