2021 Manifesto FINAL DRAFT - Flipbook - Page 12
Second, they need to know that
governments are held to account,
to rebuild trust between
politicians and the public. Third,
they need to know that those in
power will work to benefit
everyone, not just the usual
suspects.
The WMCA has a long way to go
to get to this point. Democracy
should mean not just
representation, but also
participation. Unless people feel
that the WMCA is their Combined
Authority, it has no chance of
achieving its full potential. Unless
everyone is represented and feels
that they can take part, the WMCA
has little chance of making its
plans work for everyone.
Devolution is a huge opportunity,
but one that we continue to
squander.
The mayoral election is our
chance to choose someone who
can set up mechanisms with
teeth to make sure that everyone
is held to account and that people
can participate in decisions made
about their lives. Someone who
can keep the authority honest and
focused on the people it needs to
serve, to ensure that no one is left
behind and the system works for
everyone.
As it stands the mayor has very
little direct power. But that may
well be an opportunity and an
enabling factor rather than a
limiting one. To get things done,
the mayor will have to work with
people, to collaborate, to dialogue
and listen. And change made
together is more likely to work
and more likely to last.
That’s why, while I haven’t made
any promises I can’t keep in this
manifesto, I have been clear
about the direction in which I
want to lead the West Midlands in
every area where the WMCA
either has some control now, or
seems likely to in the future.
Democracy
Normal people want more say
over big decisions that impact
them. First, people need to know
that their elected representatives
will listen to them, take their
concerns on board and speak up
for them faithfully.