The West Midlands would be stronger if its constituent regions worked better together, according to the Mayor of London.
In an interview with the Post, Boris Johnson said having central control over economic regeneration had served Greater London well – and the West Midlands would benefit from a similar structure.
Talks are ongoing , with all councils except Solihull and Coventry signed up – but Mr Johnson said it needed support across the board to succeed.
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Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine said talks were already taking place over a major devolution package which could see billions of pounds of spending power shifted from Whitehall to the combined authority.
Mr Johnson told the Post: “The people of Birmingham and the surrounding area together need to make their minds up.
“It is a matter for local democracy but I do think there is a great strength in doing things together where you can.
“Where it is possible to come up with common plans for housing, transport, for spatial development, I think that is a good idea.
“What I can say with an authority is it works in London.”
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He added: “If you are going to have a mayorality or a unitary structure of some kind you have got to make sure that the central body really looks after the interests of that outer periphery as well because there is always a tendency for them to focus on the centre.”
Mr Johnson said leaders in Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, and Coventry should hammer out an agreement – but said it must be a democratic process.
He said: “I think there are advantages but I think they need to work it out between them.
“London had a big experiment. In the , so they brought together areas which didn’t really feel they were part of London, and that has worked incredibly well.
“There may be something to read into that.”
He added: “I think you have got to make a case. You can’t force people – you have got to make the argument.”
The Tories have again pushed for elected mayors in the party’s manifesto, so a major devolution deal for this region would likely bring with it more political change.
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Greater Manchester has already blazed the devolution trail – with more than £1.3 billion expected to be raised from business rates as well as control over a £6 billion health and social care budget.
It is thought devolution in the West Midlands could deliver even more spending power.
Chancellor George Osborne has made it clear he sees this as the future for major urban conurbations under a Conservative government.
Labour has also set out its own plans to devolve power to combined authorities across the country.
Ed Miliband’s plan includes giving councils control over local transport, skills, housing and measures to help the unemployed in to work, as well as a share of £30 billion, which will be diverted away from Whitehall departments.
Mr Johnson said he hoped political change would engender a new competition for improvement between 海角视频 regions.
He said: “London can never be complacent. I think we should have a spirit of healthy, friendly, rivalry between the great urban centres.
“That was how it always was. leadership there was in Birmingham, in Manchester, in Leeds, that is how it was.
“Actually it was to a lesser extent in London. London in those days had to catch up.”