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On a bright afternoon in Glasgow’s city centre, a busker captivates passersby with renditions of songs by The Smiths and The Stone Roses—bands famously linked to Manchester. This cultural influence from Manchester is evident, reflecting the city’s musical reach beyond England’s borders. However, one particular policy favored by Greater Manchester’s former mayor, now prime minister Andy Burnham—the introduction of regional mayors—has yet to gain traction in Scotland.
Unlike England, where devolved mayors have been established in several cities, the authority to create such roles in Scotland rests with the Scottish government, seated in Edinburgh. Should Scotland adopt the mayoral model, Glasgow, or more accurately, the Glasgow City Region, naturally emerges as the leading candidate for such a position. This regional entity unites Glasgow City Council and eight surrounding local authorities, collectively accounting for roughly a third of Scotland’s economic output. Though its work—overseeing investment zones and regional economic strategies—is largely behind the scenes, some advocates argue the city region could significantly boost growth and investment if led by a dynamic mayor who provides clear accountability.
Local business owner James Morgan, who has operated a leather jacket shop in Glasgow for five decades, offers a grounded perspective. He describes the current economic climate as challenging, marked by unequal wealth distribution and stagnant growth. Although he admires Burnham’s efforts on homelessness in Manchester and supports the idea of shifting power away from Westminster, Morgan expresses cautious optimism about the prospect of a mayor in Glasgow. “If the man at the top is right it spreads all the way down. And if the man at the top is wrong that spreads all the way down,” he says, underscoring that the outcome largely depends on the person occupying the role.
Political support for the idea is strong within certain quarters. Labour MSP Paul Sweeney is a prominent advocate, envisioning a mayor who could spearhead the long-desired integration of Glasgow’s transport system—encompassing buses, trains, and the subway—and drive down fares by emulating strategies from cities like Manchester and London. He stresses that a mayor would not replace existing councils but rather serve as a “booster pack” to enhance their effectiveness. Sweeney also highlights the potential for a mayor to elevate Glasgow’s standing on the international stage, citing figures like Zohran Mandani in New York as examples of how city leaders can raise their profile.
Despite these endorsements, significant hurdles remain. The Scottish government shows reluctance to disrupt the current council system, and the mayoral structure seems unlikely to be introduced in the near term. While Burnham is set to expand powers for English mayors, emphasizing local control and even sharing income tax revenue, SNP MSP David Linden cautions that another elected official layer in Scotland would “not be warmly received.” He argues that empowering local communities doesn’t necessarily mean adding more politicians. Public opinion echoes this division, with some Glaswegians favoring a visible, accountable leader, whereas others remain unconvinced that a mayoral role would address the city’s complex challenges. This debate continues as Scotland watches developments in English devolution closely, with the success or failure of the mayoral model there potentially influencing the future of similar calls north of the border
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