Cameron says city Mayors to get own Cabinet

In what represents the clearest sign yet that Whitehall will look favourably on cities which choose to back the Government’s proposed reforms in the public vote on May 3. David Cameron told a reception at Downing Street that he wants elected Mayors to have direct and regular access to the highest levels of government.

The Prime Minister said a “Mayors’ Cabinet” is to be set up which will meet at least twice a year, bringing together civic leaders with himself and other senior politicians.

It will give cities the opportunity to lobby the Government as well as swap ideas and initiatives – and potentially win new powers and funding for their citizens.

Mr Cameron said he was confident that city Mayors could drive political and economic renewal throughout England.

“I’m really enthusiastic about this, because I profoundly believe we should be moving our country to having more directly-elected Mayors in our big cities,” the Prime Minister said.

“I know it is a big cultural change for Britain. It is a big move for us, and it is absolutely going to be up to the people of those cities to make that decision – but I very much hope we will get some ‘yes’ votes across our country.”

Making clear his own personal commitment to the Mayoral agenda, he added: “I want to establish a Cabinet of Mayors. I would chair its first meeting.

“I want, when we have a good number of Mayors around the country, to bring them together so we can swap ideas, experience and initiatives, and we can really make sure that central Government is not just helping to deliver these referendums but is also going to start delivering extra power, extra resources, to those cities, and to those Mayors, so they can get even more things done.”

The Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday builds on previous comments from Cities Minister Greg Clark that extra powers could be handed to those cities which push ahead with elected Mayors.

Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and Wakefield are among 10 major cities across England which will hold polls in May.

Liverpool has already signed up to the proposals without putting them to the vote, while in Leicester a mayoral system has been up and running for almost a year.

In Yorkshire, however, local politicians have almost uniformly opposed the idea.

Labour-led Leeds City Council hit out at Mr Cameron’s proposals last night, attacking the Prime Minister for “putting pressure” on the city ahead of the referendum.

“The people of Leeds should not be penalised if they vote ‘no’,” said council leader Keith Wakefield.

“It is very divisive for people who take a democratic decision to be told they will be left out in the cold if they vote against the Government’s wishes, while those who side with the policy will get such rewards.

“This is putting huge pressure on a referendum.”

But Mr Cameron insisted Mayors improve accountability and are better able to take “bold and difficult” decisions than old-style council leaders.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson told the Downing Street reception his role is “vital” in championing the interests of the city with central Government and foreign investors.