Labour mayors back Scottish party leader Michael Marra’s devolution proposals

Labour mayors have backed Michael Marra’s proposals for greater devolution.

Greater devolution was one of the key pledges of Mr Marra’s run for the top job, which he won just over a week ago.

Michael Marra said the Greater Manchester and Liverpool mayors were ‘showing what is possible when power is brought closer to the people’ (Lesley Martin/PA)

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“Too much power has been held in London and Edinburgh, with communities having less control over their daily lives as a result,” the party leader said.

“As Scottish Labour leader, I want to see power and money transferred into the hands of the councils, colleges and industries who know what their local economies need.

“Bev and Steve are showing what is possible when power is brought closer to the people.

“We must learn from their successes to build and enhance on what the Scottish Parliament has achieved to improve the lives of people in Scotland.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig won the mayoralty after Prime Minister Andy Burnham won his Westminster seat (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA)

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Mr Rotherham said the UK has been “one of the most centralised countries in the developed world”, adding: “Labour is changing that – because we know places do better when they have the power to shape their own futures.

“But devolution can’t just mean moving power from one capital city to another.

“We’ve shown in the Liverpool City Region what Labour devolution can deliver – from taking our trains and buses back under public control to investing in the skills and infrastructure our economy needs to grow.

“Michael is absolutely right that Scotland’s regions should have that same opportunity.

“We should be pushing power and resources closer to communities, unlocking growth and giving every part of the country the tools it needs to fulfil its potential.”

While Ms Craig – who won the mayoralty after Prime Minister Andy Burnham won his Westminster seat – said Greater Manchester “has shown what’s possible when city regions control our own futures”.

“Our economy has grown at almost double the rate of the UK and we’re using our powers to turn that into good growth that is felt in every postcode,” she said.

“We’ve brought our buses back into public control, launching the Bee Network, created equal pathways into careers for all our young people – not just those going to university – and are now building 50,000 social, council and genuinely affordable homes to tackle the housing crisis.

“With Prime Minister Andy Burnham and a UK Labour Government who are backing mayors, we’re ready to go even further.

“Michael Marra is right to back all Scotland’s regions so that every community can benefit like we have, with power and money in the hands of local people to grow their own economy.”