MANCHESTER could have its own 'Boris Johnson'-style mayor if the Conservatives win the next General Election.

Tory leader David Cameron says he wants a dozen cities - including Manchester - to have their own elected mayors with powers to decide major issues.

Although most of the ten councils in Greater Manchester already have a lord mayor, the title is an ceremonial one with the real power resting with the dominant political group of councillors.

Since 2000, Londoners have been governed by a mayor who holds sweeping powers over planning, education, housing, and the appointment of top officials.

The Labour government brought in legislation to allow a London mayor and the post was held for eight years by Ken Livingstone until he was defeated by Boris Johnson last year.

Under the same reforms, other cities were given the option of having a directly elected mayor.

A dozen local authorities, including Doncaster and Stoke-on-Trent, have already introduced the system.

However, politicians in Manchester and Birmingham have rejected the move. But the Tories now say that, if elected, they would call referendums on directly-elected mayors in Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bradford and other major cities.

Launching the party's policy on local government today, Mr Cameron said directly-elected mayors would help shift power from Whitehall.

He said: "Our political system has been imbalanced as more and more power and control has been sucked to the centre at Westminster, leaving voters with a yawning gap between the changes they want to see and those they can directly affect.

"By giving people more power and control over the services that are delivered in their areas, we can inspire a new spirit of civic pride in our communities."

Other proposals include allowing councils to raise council tax but allowing voters the right to vote against excessive rises.

However, Manchester political bosses accused Mr Cameron of tinkering with a system that already worked.

Sir Richard Leese, the city's council leader, said: "I do not believe having an elected mayor would be helpful for Manchester.

"There is already strong leadership and cohesion within the city-region, whereas, having an alternative source of authority would potentially create confusion and dissension.

"In this we are very different to London where there was effectively a decision-making vacuum until the elected Lord Mayor's post was created.

Nor do I believe that there is any appetite among the public for an extra layer of government, especially not one with tax-raising powers."

Last year, congestion charge opponents gained enough support to force a referendum calling for Bury to have its own London-style mayor. However the ballot was defeated by 15,000 to 10,000 votes, although less than a fifth of the electorate bothered to turn out.

Should Manchester have its own directly-elected mayor, and who would get your vote? Have your say by commenting below.