Conservative conference fringe: can the new mayors change the country?

Join us at this fringe to debate and discuss how metro mayors might change the country

Event starts at 15:00 on 3 October 2016 at Room 101, Library of Birmingham

In May 2017, a number of metro and county region mayors will be elected up and down the country, and more may yet be announced in the months ahead. With the capacity to transform their own area, and a significant electoral mandate to support this goal, the new mayors are set to become genuine political heavyweights, likely to play an increasingly important role in UK democratic life.

In partnership with the Local Government Association, we will be hosting debates at this year’s political party conferences to discuss just what the incoming mayors can and should do to support the needs of their electorate, to improve local economic growth, and improve public services. It will also ask how this new influx of highly visible leaders in some of the UK’s biggest city regions could impact on Whitehall decision-making and how far they could go to shake up our national political and economic systems to enable local innovation.

We are delighted to be joined by:

  • Lord Porter, Chair of the LGA
  • Prof Francesca Gains, University of Manchester
  • Phillip Blond, Director, Respublica

with more speakers to be confirmed.

This debate will take place outside the secure zone and no registration is required.

If your organisation is interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Ben Harrison

In partnership with the LGA

New LGA