Why 'cool kids' won't let Swindon in Thames Valley

If you have ever been picked last for a sports team, or not invited to a party, you might know how the Borough of Swindon feels right now.

The government wants district and borough councils to be scrapped to make way for larger combined authorities, many of which will be run by mayors.

The issue for Swindon, however, is that some of the council leaders in Berkshire and Oxfordshire do not want Swindon to join them in a Thames Valley authority, arguing the geography does not work.

Swindon Borough Council leader Gary Sumner said: "It's like not being invited to the party with the popular kids."

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council Tim Bearder said: "With no offence to my friends in Wiltshire, you are not in the Thames Valley."

The government wants most areas of England to be under a mayoral authority, promising each area a greater say on how money should be spent as well as more power to unlock growth.

Under current plans Swindon would be included in the Thames Valley, which Sumner said would be good for the region.

"Swindon is a vast economic powerhouse in a potential Thames Valley devolution deal," he said.