Lancashire Expected to Elect Mayor by 2025

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has indicated that Lancashire will receive an elected mayor within the next 18 months, aligning with the government's devolution priority program aimed at ensuring all areas in the North have mayoral leadership by May 2026. This announcement, made during the Convention of the North, contrasts with recent statements from local officials who express uncertainty about the timeline and details of such governance changes. Local authority leaders in Lancashire have been tasked with developing proposals for deeper devolution, but the mayoral option was previously presented as a choice rather than a mandate. Devolution minister Jim McMahon emphasized that while the government supports the mayoral model, local leaders' input is still valued in the process. The push for a mayor stems from a desire to enhance local governance and economic opportunities, particularly for young people in the region. The ongoing discussions reflect a complex political landscape where historical governance structures are being reassessed in light of new policies.