If we are serious about Preston being the strategic hub for the North West’s next city-region - one able to compete with Liverpool, Manchester and other European city-regions – then we must understand the political changes that have to happen.

For many years now I have strongly supported the need for directly elected mayors.  This should be a charismatic leader to be a figurehead for the local area with the power to deliver transformational change through a strategic vision; and a mandate to get on with the job.  And despite the initial scepticism surrounding elected mayors they are now having a transformational impact on their communities, economically and politically.

DPIB members lament about the state of local democracy, how local authorities do not truly understand the needs of the business community; and lack the strategic vision to deliver the type of development the private sector is ready and willing to put in place.

Hartlepool mayor, Stuart Drummond, has publicly commented on how the local business community view him as having the influence and leadership to drive the local economy.  In Doncaster, the mayor has a similar experience.  Mayor Martin Winter said ‘the mayoral system provides the dynamism and decisiveness that business people want when investing.”  As a figurehead for the business community elected mayors can be a catalyst for inward investment and a focal point for the business community that wants to shape the economic success of an area.

Ken Livingstone has an 81% recognition rating across London.  The same cannot be said for leaders of local councils.  His increased visibility has had a positive impact on citizen engagement in the political process and on democratic participation.  A mayor can significantly improve democracy, accountability and the quality of political leadership.

We must recognise the rapid changes and evolution in the world around us, locally and globally and demand that our political system must change also.  A directly elected mayor can reach out beyond the confines of the local authority bureaucracy to be more creative and innovative in the partnerships they build to deliver progress.  I believe that we should be empowering our political leaders to drive forward the regeneration and development of our local economies.