Meet the Mayors: Your Devolution Update

A lot has changed since our last Meet the Mayors update a year ago.

A Labour government has taken office, putting mayors at the heart of its plans for growth. A Devolution White Paper has been published, with a clear ambition to complete the devolution map — including six new mayoral authorities by 2026.

Local government reorganisation has been formally launched to simplify and strengthen local governance, though it’s already prompting heated debate and political disagreement across the country.

Meanwhile, the 2025 local elections have delivered two new Reform UK mayors. The party will now also form part of the political mix in Combined Authorities such as the East Midlands — a real test of how far the consensus-led model can stretch.

Inflect’s latest briefing introduces you to the new metro mayors, checks in with the class of 2024 one year on, and brings you up to speed on what’s coming next.