Daily Junction.mobi portalThis suggests that the model works best when you have a large, economically coherent city-region, a charismatic and politically skilled mayor, and favourable conditions (central government support, cooperative local authorities, adequate funding). That is a lot of conditions, and not all areas can meet them.
The metro mayor model is now established—there are 10 combined authorities with elected mayors, covering around 40% of England's population. The Labour government elected in 2024 has committed to more devolution, including more combined authorities and more powers.
But the fundamental constraints remain. Without tax-raising powers, metro mayors will continue to depend on central government. Without control over major infrastructure, they will be coordinators rather than builders. Without integration of health, education, and welfare, their ability to address deep-rooted social and economic problems will be limited.
Burnham has pushed for more powers, including fiscal devolution, control over rail services, and integration of health and social care budgets. Some of this may happen, but it will require the Treasury to give up control, and that is always difficult.
The other question is political succession. Burnham has hinted at a return to national politics, possibly standing for Parliament again. If he leaves, will his successor be able to maintain the same level of influence and delivery? Or will the Greater Manchester mayoralty revert to being a useful but limited local government role?
Andy Burnham has shown what a metro mayor can achieve with political skill, a strong regional economy, and effective use of limited powers. The Bee Network, the £2 bus fare, and high-profile campaigns have delivered visible results and built genuine political authority.
But the model's success depends on factors beyond institutional design—personality, economic scale, central government cooperation, and local authority cohesion. This makes it hard to replicate. Greater Manchester works because it is Greater Manchester, and because Andy Burnham is Andy Burnham.
For metro mayors to become a genuine tier of government rather than a useful but limited experiment, they need more powers—particularly fiscal powers. They need control over the resources to deliver on their responsibilities. And they need a clearer constitutional status, not a patchwork of bespoke devolution deals that vary from place to place.
Until that happens, the metro mayor model will remain what it is now: a promising experiment that works well in some places, under some leaders, in some circumstances. That is better than nothing, but it is not the same as genuine devolution. And it is not enough to address the deep regional inequalities that plague England.