As the Leader of the Council, I want to explain why we are proposing submitting an Expression of Interest to Government for Swindon to be part of a proposed Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA). This is about securing Swindon’s future prosperity and ensuring we have a strong voice in shaping the region’s growth.
The Government’s Devolution Bill is transforming local government. It gives new powers over transport, skills, housing, and economic development to Mayoral Authorities. Areas that embrace this opportunity will gain influence, investment, and the ability to plan strategically for decades ahead. Those that don’t risk being left behind.
Swindon is a thriving town with a proud industrial heritage and a dynamic economy. Just this week we saw the opening of STARK, one of our dynamic new Drone companies bringing skilled advanced manufacturing jobs to the region and helping us reinvent ourselves again as a world-leading manufacturer, but we cannot ignore the reality: major funding streams and infrastructure investment are increasingly directed to devolved regions. Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire have already secured hundreds of millions for transport, housing, and innovation. If we remain outside this framework, we will struggle to compete for the resources we need.
Joining the Thames Valley MSA makes sense economically. The region is one of the UK’s powerhouses, generating £117 billion in GVA and accounting for 5% of England’s economy with only 4% of its population. It combines world-class research, advanced manufacturing, and a highly skilled workforce. By linking Swindon’s strengths with Oxfordshire and Berkshire, we can create deeper labour markets, stronger supply chains, and faster innovation. Independent analysis suggests this integration could boost local economic output by £18.7 billion annually by 2040 and help Swindon regain its title as the fastest growing town in Europe.
Some have asked why we aren’t looking west towards Wiltshire and the Wessex area. The answer is simple: while we remain proud of our Wiltshire roots and will continue to work closely with our neighbours, our economic future lies in the east. The Thames Valley offers unparalleled opportunities for growth, connectivity, and investment. Its innovation clusters and infrastructure links align perfectly with Swindon’s ambitions to be a hub for advanced manufacturing and technology. To stand still would be to fall behind.
This is not about losing local control. Swindon will continue to deliver local services—housing, social care, planning decisions—while the MSA focuses on strategic issues like transport links, skills development, and major infrastructure. It’s a partnership that amplifies our voice, not diminishes it.
Submitting an Expression of Interest is the first step. It opens the door to discussions with Government and, ultimately, consultation with the public. This is about ambition for Swindon—about ensuring we are part of the conversation, not watching from the sidelines.
—
This is Jim’s weekly Adver Column, November 2025