A Mayoral Wishlist - 2021 West Midlands Mayoral Election

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A Mayoral Wishlist - 2021 West Midlands Mayoral Election

Kashmire Hawker • 24 January 2021

Whomever is Mayor, needs to be Radical and Positive towards MY Generation!

IMAGE: A City in Development - a Sunrise snap of Wolverhampton's i9; continuing to come together, on November 26th 2020

The wonder and current shape of politics across our region, makes May 6th 2021's contest for Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority a rather interesting affair.

The fight between incumbant Andy Street - the man who led John Lewis and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership pre-political life, before causing a political earthquake with a 0.8% and 3,776 2nd Preference Vote Majority in 2017 for the Conservatives and Labour's Liam Bryne; the one time Chief Secretary to the Treasury, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and avid Devoulation campaigner; along with 4 other candidates thus far confirmed from the Green's, Liberal Democrats, Our West Midlands and an Independent (full list at the bottom), surely makes it the 2nd most important Mayoral fight of the year after London.

I don't have any doubt, that with the way that Mayor's have come to the centre of attention, for being extremely regular headliners on the news, a lot of time disagreeing with the Tiering decisions and fighting for further financial support across the whole 10 months since Lockdown 1 hit, interest in the £79,000 post will hopefully see a big boost on the 26% turnout from May 4th 2017.

For me however, what I very much want is the greatest possible interest in the way's that lives CAN be improved via the figurehead of a Combined Authority - a body which still has many a critic in the electorate at large. And that is where listening to my generation; particuarly the Under 25's and People with Disabilities couldn't be more vital, if real opportunity can be offered, change can be radical and ultimately helps build the region we all desire.

This is why I give - what most will see as a radical wishlist, of what I would love to see the WMCA help do; in really showing the true meaning of phrases including "Build Back Better", "Levelling Up" and "Opportunity for All". Being in the positions I am and having expanded my knowledge of what exists across WM massively in the last 18 months, I feel may strike a cord as a result of the need of being bold post COVID-19.

What do I formally seek, from a candidate in there Manfiesto's and ultimately in office?

Appoint Deputy Mayors, alongside the Statutory Deputy Mayor covering:

Environment, Energy and Transport (Including High Speed 2)
Commonwealth Games, Culture and Digital
Housing and Land
Inclusive Communities and Wellbeing

Create the positions of Young Mayor and Deputy Young Mayor (Aged Under 25); either directly elected or appointed from the West Midlands Young Combined Authority, who will jointly lead the YCA Board
Establish a WMCA Youth Scrutiny Board, led by the Young Mayor, the Young Combined Authority and other Young People across the region
Enhance YCA representatives’ rights on the CA Board, as much as practically possible under the rules of the CA Constitution
Strengthening the Transport for West Midlands Youth Forum and making it a formally structured body
Ensuring ALL WMCA Events are fully accessible for People with Disabilities and requiring ALL polices and actions to work for them, through the creation of a Mayor’s People With Disabilities Advisory Forum and WM Quality of Life Transform Board, lead by experts in change making fields
Work directly with the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, to develop a Games Legacy Plan, for Sport, Culture, Investment and Opportunities
Follow up on the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, by undertaking Feasibility Studies for bidding for events such as the 9th Commonwealth Youth Games in 2029 – most previously hosted in the UK in Edinburgh in 2000, the 5th Youth Summer Olympic Games in 2030, which has not yet been held in Europe and the 13th World Games (the games for non-Olympic Sports) in 2033 – last held in the UK in London in 1985
Consider the use of the Mayoral Rebate and part of Government Held Reserves for the CA, to fund Free Travel for Under 25’s across the region
Following Manchester City Region’s lead and develop a WM Opportunity Pass

In explaining my thinking, first of all - I rightfully look at Young People. In the words of 2019/2020 National Union of Students' President Zamzam Ibrahim, “We’ve spent the last decade fighting against things. It’s time to fight for something.” Such words couldn't ring more true, with services for my folk having been cut to the bone and shockingly, much of that having hit funding for representation - the very thing Young People need to value and take opportunity within.

The Young Combined Authority has been a massive step forward in terms of that direction and to enhance it, an appointed/elected Young Mayor and Deputy, formation of a CA Youth Scrutiny Board, strengthening the YCA's role as much as possible and making the TfWM Youth Forum a formal body, would in my mind give WM one of the strongest set of opportunities, to getting youth voices made as loud as they should be. Knowing too that the YCA have developed, a very well recieved Our West Midlands: Young Combined Authority Vision and Priorities document; all efforts in bringing it's plans to life, would demonstrate that our regional leaders; regardless of political colour mean business.

Supplimenting that, the formation of 4 Deputy Mayor's - whose roles would be wide varying, would follow London's Lead where they have 10 (!) and a Deputy's remit can achieve some spectacular results - providing the power is there. And the areas as mentioned, all have powers which the CA have and can continue to lobby further for, giving such a post holder great opportunity: IF a mandate is given by the voters and the Government is not stubborn power wise.

Being a person with a Disability, our representation also couldn't matter more, within a period where a virus is causing such heartbreak. Co-Production and getting more folks around the table; to hear there thinking and rightful radicalism, through such high level boards suggested would be a terrific way of helping to strengthen our rights and give a platform - for experts and those with real life experiences of inequality to shape the more compassionate region we need to be.

Of course - as a Birmingham 2022 employee, the chances before us post the games are one of a most unique measure and gives me permanent delight; in having the Organising Committee as my employer. The Games Legacy Plan, needs to cover more than just what sport can look like in the coming decade, but such a platform provides further chances to use such infrastructure for the events as mentioned - which brings in tourism, economic enhancement and develop the region's Cultural offering.

And finally, on the wonder of Travel - of course, the financial gaps across Transport for West Midlands are indeed a great worry and I very much commend the WMCA for helping to cover a fair bit of it.

However - seeing that other financial opportunities lie in the grass and the enourmous need for one of the youngest region's in Europe; to both feel valued and have such a real sense of opportunity, it would feel foolish not see if funding can be used, to develop a Freedom Pass as seen in Greater Manchester and ask folks to pay a little more, in funding Free Travel for Under 25's - who have been affected the most by COVID-19!

I'm sure the quiet majority, wouldn't mind wanting to give support to my generation, seeing how such a dreadful situation has torn apart many dreams.

This may all seem wishful thinking and many think Devolution is a waste of time, knowing of the costs and red tape involved. Having such influence however; makes one believe that better days are ahead, progressive politics can help redefine the West Midlands and ultimately CHANGE LIVES.

That is what the WMCA is there do; that is what regional leaders should desire to see and knowing opportunities exist, it's time they were ultilised and helped many hundreds of thousands; who call our Three City's and Four Towns home!

P.S - And as promised - particuarly for folk outside the region reading this, the so far confirmed candidates for Thursday May 6th 2021's Election, for the postion of Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority, are as follows: