More ‘can name their mayor rather than their local MP’

MORE voters in West Yorkshire can name their mayor than their MP, figures suggest.

Polling from Centre for Cities and Focaldata conducted before local elections found that 59 per cent of people could correctly name their mayor, compared to 47 per cent who could do the same with their MP.

However, only 31 per cent of people said they were aware mayoral elections would take place in May, with only 53 per cent saying they intended to vote in the election.

The polling also found that more people will vote based on an individual candidate than their political party in West Yorkshire.

Some 51 per cent of people surveyed said they would vote for an individual, almost double the 29 per cent who said they would do so in a general election.

Though there was some recognition of policies such as transport in the area, 81 per cent could not name one of the mayor’s policies.

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “The level of recognition for mayors shows they are fulfilling the purpose their role was created for – establishing a visible and accountable leader for their place.

“The fact that people are more likely to vote for the individual candidate rather than the political party they represent emphasises this. People want local leaders to put place before politics.

“But the findings also show there is still work to do, particularly in the new combined authorities in the North East and the East Midlands, to draw attention to the upcoming mayoral elections.

“A challenge for all of us is to continue to build awareness of and raise the profile of metro mayors. Local news and trusted institutions and individuals have important roles in raising the prominence of mayoral elections and supporting discussions about what issues matter most locally. And in return, mayors must deliver on them.

“The fact that the public wants powers to be held at a local level is good news and shows a strong appetite for devolution.”