Elections for new Manchester city mayor could be held in November

CLARK: Elections could be held in November

By Dean Wilkins

Manchester could hold an election for a city mayor as early as November, if residents give the idea the thumbs up in a referendum in May.

The timetable for mayoral elections will be announced later today by Communities minister Greg Clark.

The Government hopes having a city mayor will help to boost economic revival, with cities having the opportunity to ‘transform for the better’.

Mr Clark is expected to announce plans to hold an election on a ‘Super Thursday’ in November, the same day as local police commissioners are to be elected.

Alongside Manchester, ten other cities are also being polled in May including Birmingham,  Liverpool, Bristol, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.

Mr Clark said: "Elected mayors provide cities with the strong, visible leadership that can help them prosper nationally and internationally. This is an opportunity for each city to transform itself for the better.

“The world's great cities have mayors who lead for their city on the national and international stage, attracting investment and jobs. We believe that mayors can help English cities achieve their full potential too.

"This May, the people of our cities will have the chance to have their say. Now is the time to start weighing up what a mayor could do for your city."

Birmingham, Liverpool, and Bristol are widely expected to vote in favour of directly-elected city mayors when referendums are held on May 3.

However, across Manchester the elections have received a mixed response.

Many people feel the changes will bring economic expansion, with benefits being seen across numerous different areas.

The economic destiny of Greater Manchester would benefit in the hands of a London-style mayor, argues city strategist Daniel Mouawad.

The chief executive of pro manchester, the city’s financial and professional services body, said: “Manchesteris the country’s largest economic engine outside London and it should be in charge of its future economic destiny.

“There is still a desire by many to have something more decisive and significant to control this growing economic powerhouse. A mayor could be the solution.”

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese, expressed concerns at the announcement. He said: “There’s nothing inherently wrong with directly elected mayors but there’s nothing inherently right with them either.

“A directly elected mayor is not the solution. A comparison is made with London but what’s on offer has no comparison with that whatsoever.”

David Cameron and regeneration adviser Lord Heseltine are believed to have supported bringing the elections forward.

However, Conservative Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is said to be sceptical of the initiative.