Matthew Fright
Senior Researcher
Matthew's recent work
All work
The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds
The government has postponed the May 2026 mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, and Norfolk and Suffolk.
New funding plans will give mayors more autonomy to boost growth
Longer-term funding arrangements are a welcome step towards deepening English devolution.
Reorganising district councils and local public services: options and challenges
How should councils approach local government reorganisation?
Labour's devolution plans could mark the start of a generational shift in power
The government can claim some success in kick-starting a ‘devolution revolution’.
Mayoral and local elections 2025: The government should hold its course on devolution despite the rise of Reform
Labour will need to learn to work with local political leaders from opposition parties.
Mayor of South Yorkshire
On 2 May 2024, voters in South Yorkshire elected their metro mayor.
Mayor of the North East
How was the first mayor of the North East elected?
Mayor of the East Midlands
On 2 May 2024, voters elected Claire Ward as Mayor of the East Midlands.
Local and mayoral elections 2025
On Thursday, 1 May 2025, local and mayoral elections took place in many parts of England.
How can areas successfully reorganise local government and implement devolution at the same time?
How local leaders and central government can navigate the challenges of 'dual delivery'.