To criticise politicians these days is like taking candy from a baby.
The Conservative party is in freefall, led (for the moment) by – let’s call a spade a spade – a serial liar. Labour hardly bothers to walk onto the pitch, let alone step up to miss open goals.
We have the most unimpressive collection of frontline politicians in living memory.
We face, in terms of economy, security and health to name but three, some of the most complex challenges of post war Britain.
Against this backdrop, it is heartening to see directly elected Mayors in operation. Their command of facts, understanding of policy and ability to communicate as genuine human beings – as shown by the likes of Andy Burnham and Andy Street – is striking.
They demonstrate more integrity and sincerity and embrace ideas far better than many of their Westminster colleagues.
The Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s appearance at Institute for Government and Mr Street’s turn at Centre for Cities events in the last two weeks are cases in point.
But, but…
Andy Street has carefully managed his status as a Conservative with the appearance of a quasi-independent. He has never denied his colours and has been ultra-careful in managing his relations with the three Tory administrations that have held power during his time leading GBSLEP then the WMCA.
As a directly elected leader, he has every right to carve out his own space whilst maintaining broad party loyalty.
His social media communications have continued to adopt a green hue, rather than a Tory blue, and have promoted name rather than regional brand recognition. His ‘selfie’ style socials give Liz Truss a run for her money when it comes to image focus.
Mr Street did not have a ballot to cast in the Conservative confidence vote last month. But asked which way he would have voted, he backed Boris.
His explanation to Radio BBC WM was that he did not want to lose momentum on Levelling Up. He also believed, he told LBC, Mr Johnson had shown genuine contrition.
He underlined this view when questioned at the Realising Regional Growth event staged by Centre for Cities in Birmingham last week.
Mr Street suggested that Mr Johnson deeply understands the issues around the Levelling Up agenda and that those seeking greater devolution and bridging regional inequalities should back Michael Gove (correct at time of writing).
The Mayor said there were not enough disciples around the Cabinet table.
It is not a stretch to think that Mr Street takes a very dim view of Boris Johnson’s behaviour in political office. Where Mr Street might hold a compass, Mr Johnson is seemingly guided by the satnav of an alley cat.
But Andy Street seems to have set that to one side in pursuit of Levelling Up gold for the region.
The West Midlands Mayor is relying on Boris Johnson, with Michael Gove, to deliver (correct at time of writing). He also believes that making policy and investment cases will convince Whitehall officials to loosen control over research funding and trade and investment support.
The Mayor has certainly instigated a better political and professional approach to securing finance and powers from Whitehall. Whinging as a local art form has been replaced by building business cases.
But this is incrementalism. The scale of ambition is limited. The case for genuine, fiscal devolution is not being made. Neither is there a desire to piece together spatial and transport planning at a regional level.
Even one of Mr Street’s Tory colleagues, Walsall leader Mike Bird, suggested at a recent WMCA Board meeting emerging proposals for the next West Midlands devolution deal did not live up to the definition of “trailblazer.”
As a former Mayor, you might imagine Mr Johnson is a committed devolutionist. At heart, he probably is (if he believes in anything other than Boris Johnson). But there is scant evidence for it in practice.
His speech last year in Coventry on the subject was almost as embarrassing as his exposition of Peppa Pig World in front of the CBI.
Mr Street was in the front row for the first one but probably wished he had spent the day with an anthropomorphic female piglet.
The Levelling Up White Paper is not all bad. But a Centre for Cities event to mark 100 days since its publication, speakers agreed that the necessary mindshift in Whitehall to make Levelling Up a reality had not begun.
To make Levelling Up more than a slogan, the PM would need to articulate a vision, rally his troops around that flag and mastermind not just a policy but a revolution in Government.
He has neither the stamina nor political capital for such a task.
It has always been delusional to think otherwise.
So, if securing another devolution ‘deal’ is your goal, Mr Mayor, it is time to move your chips from betting on Boris.
But more importantly, Andy Street should reflect on the resignation words of his friend Sajid Javid:
“The tone you set as leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country.”
Now is not the time to continue with a misguided political judgement but a moment to demonstrate integrity and ambition as a leader.
