MP Expresses Concern Over Mayoral System’s Potential Negative Impact on Women in Lancashire Politics

A Member of Parliament has expressed apprehension that female council leaders in Lancashire might experience a reduction in their authority and sway should the county implement a mayoral system. Cat Smith, the Labour representative for Lancaster and Wyre, stated that adopting this model as part of devolution could “risk undoing” progress made in women’s political representation, given that mayors in England have primarily been men. Approximately half of Lancashire’s council leaders are women, as are six of the county’s sixteen MPs. Conversely, Jacky Alty, the Labour leader of South Ribble Council, contended that the presence of a mayor in the county would offer women “a new opportunity to get involved in politics.” Local leaders reached a ‘second-tier’ devolution agreement in September to establish a new combined authority in Lancashire. This agreement does not incorporate provisions for a directly-elected mayor, although some Labour MPs, including Burnley representative Oliver Ryan, have advocated for such a role. Among England’s 11 regions that have elected mayors, three are led by women: Tracey Brabin in West Yorkshire, Kim McGuinness in the North East, and Claire Ward in the East Midlands. Furthermore, a contingent of Labour MPs from the county has proposed the abolition of all 15 of Lancashire’s councils in favor of a “simpler” structure for local governance. Presently, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool councils operate as unitary authorities, alongside 12 district councils. During a parliamentary debate, Smith informed fellow MPs that her party had achieved advancements in enhancing women’s representation in Westminster. She stated, “We have more women MPs in Lancashire than ever, six out of sixteen, we risk undoing this progress by devolving power to men in our communities.” Caroline Jackson, the recently re-elected Green Party leader of Lancaster County Council, echoed these concerns. She remarked, “It would be a retrograde step to move power away from female politicians at a local level, given that being a councillor is something women can do as well as holding down a job and raising children.” Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, emphasized the significance of both local and central government “reflect[ing] the communities they represent.” She noted that women possess exceptional leadership skills, which “we are embracing across Lancashire, both through our female MPs and my fellow women council leaders.” Williamson expressed pride in leading the county council and voiced her hope of serving as an example “as a role model for other women and girls.” Cat Smith informed the BBC that while she is receptive to local government reform, she believes the “mayoral model is a broken model that we don’t want imposed on us.”