'Mayoral devolution is an opportunity not to be missed'

We all want the best for Lancashire. We want the best for our families, our towns and cities, and our businesses and economy. The government has made it clear, if we want the ability to strive for the best, we must have an elected mayor.

Lancashire Business Board chair Mo Isap has called for this already. He says our county’s business community is missing out on millions of pounds compared with our mayoral neighbours. I add my voice to his.

An elected mayor is not an arbitrary position, nor does the office represent an additional layer of state bureaucracy, it is a vital role that will be the central convening voice for our shared communities.  

Supported by the four new unitary authorities, the mayor will act as a focus for investment, be the champion of our county and represent us on the mayoral council.

For too long Lancashire has been the poor relation in the conversation of the north, overshadowed by Liverpool and Manchester, left behind in terms of inward investment and often too concerned with talking about how not to collaborate.

For this, local political leaders must take responsibility. Passion for place runs deep, we each have our own allegiance to our towns, but that pride can sometimes blind us to the wider opportunities available through collaboration.

While Lancashire has debated devolution for 15 years, others have seized its benefits. Some established mayors now direct regional funding on a scale comparable to government departments, investing in transport, skills and education, health innovation, infrastructure, economic development, business support and public services. Crucially, residents can see investment being made directly in the places where they live.

The benefits of enhanced powers are clear and the opportunity cost too great if we choose not to go further. Soon the fabric of local government will change. Let’s end the need to seek direct government intervention, end the partisan nature of local investment and help Lancashire take its rightful place as a nationally important region allowing us to better compete with our neighbours.

It is time for us to show our pride in Lancashire, end the debate and to take the power. Surely it is far better to have the power and then debate, than letting this opportunity pass because we couldn’t agree.