Following his victory at May’s Combined Authority election, new Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, writes exclusively for PLMR on the increasingly critical importance of the Combined Authorities; their central role in driving growth across regions; and how organisations should look to engage constructively with them across the country as devolution gathers pace…

Devolution means growth!  This was the message I heard loud in clear at the Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (REiiF) in my first month as Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  And if you listen to Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, this appears to be true as his city has experienced the fastest growth in the UK with average annual growth of 3.1% over the last ten years.

The Government believes him.  They see Combined and Mayoral Authorities as delivery partners in their drive for growth and the building of 1.5 million homes.

The English Devolution Bill will devolve further powers to devolved authorities and Mayors – in areas that contain the levers of growth such as skills, planning and transport.  This should change significantly the focus of those who wish to influence public policy and engage with decision makers.

When too many of these levers for growth lie with the Treasury or other Whitehall departments, agencies and companies rely on engaging with civil servants who often apply inflexible national formulae to capital and investment decisions.  Local leaders know best.  They have the capacity and will experience directly the benefits of projects that drive economic growth.

But how to engage with devolved authorities and Mayors?  It became clear to me at REiiF and since, that it is as much my responsibility to sell opportunities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to private sector delivery partners, as it is for these partners to seek opportunities to engage.

Following the 2025 local elections, I’m proud and honoured to have been elected as Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

I am also aware that this isn’t just a personal victory—it’s a symbol of a broader shift happening across the country.

I won’t avoid the elephant I the room, the Conservative Party didn’t perform well in the local elections, Reform have grabbed the headlines, but Labour have fallen at the first hurdle – tremendously in fact.

They have gone from 34% of the national vote to just 19% in a matter of 9 months.

Reform have gained two mayors and an MP (Runcorn) but we have shown in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, there is hope, in fact we can beat Labour, and Reform.

Winning an election is one thing, sensible governing and delivering on promises is another.

Metro mayors like me are playing a more critical role than ever in shaping the future of our regions.

Devolution schemes across the country mean mayors are more important than ever.

The trust people have placed in us reflects their desire for leadership that is closer to home, responsive to local priorities, and often free from the distractions of Westminster politics.

The idea behind creating metro mayors was simple but powerful: local people should be able to elect someone who can make big decisions on transport, housing, skills, and economic development—someone who understands the challenges of the area because they live and breathe them.

In practice, that means I’m now responsible for coordinating public transport, unlocking housing growth, creating job opportunities, and working with local employers and education providers to equip people with the skills they need.

Whether it’s making sure our buses are reliable and affordable, supporting local businesses, or ensuring young people have real prospects in their communities, my job is about getting results.

What makes metro mayors different is accountability. We are directly answerable to the people we serve, and we don’t have to fight through the bureaucracy of Whitehall to act.

That’s incredibly empowering, and necessary.

People are tired of promises and investment from London that doesn’t always materialise in places like Peterborough, Wisbech or Cambridge. This happened numerous times during our previous Mayors’ tenure.

Devolution most importantly means we don’t have to wait for someone in Westminster to give us permission to solve our own problems.

Now, as mayor, I intend to work closely with every corner of this region.

I’ll be pushing for more—because our communities deserve it.

With the right tools, I believe mayors can lead real renewal across our towns and cities, drive investment, and most importantly, restore trust in politics.

Politics across our region has been toxic and it needs to change.

The 2025 elections have shown that the public wants this, and metro mayors are the ones best placed to deliver it. The job ahead won’t be easy, but it is essential. I’m ready to get started.

As the newly elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, I feel the weight of expectation but also the tremendous opportunity that this role brings.

This election wasn’t just about choosing a candidate. It was a statement from the people of this region: that local leadership matters, and that they want someone with the drive and focus to deliver for them.

The model of devolution we’ve adopted in the UK over the past decade is far from perfect—but it is a crucial step in the right direction.

It doesn’t make sense to have decisions about our transport, infrastructure, housing, and jobs to been made hundreds of miles away by people who don’t know our roads, haven’t walked through our high streets, and don’t see the potential in our young people. Now, we have the tools to change that.

As a metro mayor, my job is to bring together the combined authority, that’s our local councils, under a single vision for this region. That means developing strategic plans for growth, allocating funding, lobbying government for investment, and ensuring public services are delivered effectively.

My portfolio includes:

• Overseeing the regional transport network.
• Delivering affordable and sustainable housing.
• Boosting skills and training opportunities.
• Supporting business growth and job creation.
• Policing and public safety.

I have access to devolved budgets and the ability to set regional priorities that reflect the unique character and needs of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Unlike national politicians, I don’t need to worry about balancing priorities across the entire country, I focus exclusively on what’s best for our towns, cities, and villages.

This year’s local elections made one thing clear: people are fed up with the status quo. Whether it’s the cost of living, access to healthcare, or economic opportunity, they want solutions—now.

The appeal is that we can act faster, target resources more effectively, and be held directly accountable by the people we serve.

Mayors are rooted in our communities. We see the buses that don’t arrive. We know which streets are underdeveloped. And when we talk about investing in skills, we’re talking about real people, real jobs, and real futures—often just a few miles from our front doors.

In short, we have the local knowledge, the autonomy, and increasingly, the public backing to make a difference.

The 2025 elections may well mark a turning point for our political system. With voter turnout rising and more eyes on local leadership than ever, the age of metro mayors has well and truly begun.

But to make this model work, we need continued commitment from central government to support devolution not just in words, but in legislation, funding, and flexibility.

I will work tirelessly to make the case that regions like ours are essential to the UK’s success.

As Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, I promise to be a strong, visible, and determined advocate for our people.

I know that if we get this right, we can serve as a model for how local leadership can transform lives.