Exclusive: City leader throws his hat in ring over poll for mayors

Peter Box revealed there appeared to be little support for the Government’s proposal to introduce elected mayors to run Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Wakefield, but it would be up to “the people of the district to decide” at the referendum in May.

However, Coun Box said that should a “yes” vote be successful, he would seek the nomination from the Labour Party.

The Yorkshire Post also understands that Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood would seek the party nomination for mayor.

However, sources close to Coun Greenwood said he remains sceptical about the change, and is concerned by the Government’s failure to detail what powers a new mayor would wield.

The faltering policy has found little support in any of the four Yorkshire cities proposed for elected mayors, with senior political figures from all parties privately opposed to the plan.

A cornerstone of David Cameron’s localism Bill, it is understood the Government has scheduled meetings with local party leaders to try to “energise” support behind the campaign.

The move has provoked an angry reaction from some senior party members, who claimed Downing Street was attempting to “strong-arm” them into supporting a policy that appears to have little public backing in the region, while others claimed the Prime Minister was simply “opening up the debate”.

Much of the negative feeling about the proposed mayors stems from the Government’s refusal to outline in detail their powers until after the public are asked whether or not they want them introduced.

Coun Box called on Mr Cameron to reveal how the system would work before voters go to the polls in May.

“The decision on whether or not Wakefield has an elected mayor is one for the people of the district to make on May 3,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll do so having heard arguments both for and against the idea. However, the majority of people I’ve spoken to so far are not supportive of a change at the present time.

“My main concern is that the Government are silent on what new powers a mayor would have, which are not available to me as leader of the council.”

In Leeds, council leader Keith Wakefield has previously ruled himself out of ever standing as mayor, branding the idea “undemocratic and utter madness”.

The city’s Conservative group leader, Andrew Carter, said the Government should have looked at a city region mayor, with greater powers to influence transport.

“A slim body, headed by a city region mayor, could be very effective in progressing the economic policies across the West Yorkshire city region.”

It is a model supported by the Centre for Cities think-tank.

The wavering support for the policy is understood to be concerning Downing Street. However, its efforts to boost support have not been well received by all local members of the party.

One source said: “It is quite simply strong-arm tactics.”

Although Pudsey Conservative MP Stuart Andrew backs an elected mayor for Leeds, Kris Hopkins, Tory MP for Keighley, said he would be at the fore of a “no” campaign in Bradford.

David Ward, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, is also firmly opposed, while Sheffield South East Labour MP Clive Betts said there was “no interest” among voters in Sheffield.