Tory warns Ministers over mayors plan

Baroness Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, said she was “concerned” about the plans which are currently going through Parliament and urged Ministers to rethink.

Under the plans the Government will turn council leaders in Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford and Sheffield into shadow mayors before holding referenda next May where voters will decide whether they want an elected mayor to be put in charge of each city.

“I am concerned that the policy on mayors, which will allow central government to require an area to have a ‘shadow mayor’ and then hold a confirmatory referendum, is the wrong path to take,” said Baroness Eaton. “The change should come only after local people have decided that it is desirable, not before.”

Ministers have so far refused to listen to criticism of the plan, which has been branded undemocratic by councillors and MPs.