It is not the first time a think tank has suggested the idea<\/a>. In 2022 Reform Scotland, now named Enlighten after confusion with Nigel Farage<\/a>‘s party, called for\u00a0elected mayors, who could then meet with the First Minister every three months.<\/p>\n Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: \u201cThe UK is taking a city-region led approach to economic growth because cities are at the frontier of innovation and economic growth.<\/p>\n \u201cGlasgow has an important role in this, with the potential to make an added economic contribution the size of Scotland\u2019s oil and gas sector if it harnesses its size to generate more cutting-edge activity.<\/p>\n \u201cEnglish cities with metro mayors have in the last week been allocated billions to invest in local public transport networks and R&D.<\/p>\n \u201cScotland, too, needs its big cities to make a greater contribution to the economy.<\/p>\n \u201cA directly-elected mayor for the Glasgow city region would bring much-needed leadership, accountability and the ability to shape growth around the city\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes<\/a> said: \u201cGlasgow is key to driving the Scottish economy, which is why the Scottish Government<\/a> is partly funding the city-region\u2019s \u00a31.13 billion growth deal.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have also supported Glasgow city region\u2019s \u00a3160 million investment zone, with additional funding for electric vehicle infrastructure and skills development.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/276119394d354cb8102f83010d4f2fba.jpeg\"\/)
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