Think-tank calls for more elected mayors

All major towns and cities in England should have elected mayors, according to a think-tank.

The Institute for Public Policy Research said on Wednesday that the move would "reinvigorate local politics" and devolve more powers to the community.

Such leaders had proved "highly capable" in the few areas which have them, it said.

However, it pointed out that only 12 areas had adopted mayors since the option was introduced in 2002.

And calling for legislation to bring them in across 82 local authorities, the think-tank claimed that the present system was biased against their introduction.

"Even though mayors have proved a success in places like London, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, the current system allows councils to block the creation of more mayors," said senior IPPR research fellow Guy Lodge.

"Mayoral campaigns like the current London one help to invigorate local politics by provoking interest and debate on local issues.

"An elected mayor in every major English town and city would give central government assurance that it could devolve powers to a safe pair of locally accountable hands."