Sumner remarked, “Maybe they don’t appreciate Swindon’s style, or perhaps they consider themselves superior.”
“I take great pride in our community, and it hurts when others look down on us, which is how it feels regarding the two extremes of the Thames Valley.”
Council leaders from Windsor and Maidenhead also opposed the latest proposal, partly because it favoured a Foundation Strategic Authority over a mayor‑led model.
Liberal Democrat councillor Bearder added regarding Swindon, “I don’t believe it’s a suitable fit; implementing it would require redrawing all the boundaries.”
Under a combined authority model, the mayor and deputy mayor would also take responsibility for police and fire services, although Swindon’s emergency services are presently managed by Wiltshire.
Bearder concluded, “It makes sense for Swindon to remain within Wiltshire under this arrangement.”
Meanwhile, Wiltshire council leaders are exploring the creation of a Wessex Mayoral Authority that would include Somerset, Dorset, and the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.
Several leaders from Oxfordshire and Berkshire have expressed interest in seeing Swindon participate.
Susan Brown, Labour leader of Oxford City Council, stressed that including Swindon in the Thames Valley is vital.
She added, “Our economies are tightly intertwined.”