One economy deserves one voice.

Why we exist

Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon are the most powerful economy in Britain outside London: more output per person than any region outside London, and more per hour worked than any region of England outside London.^E1E2 From Oxford, the world's top university, to the national labs at Harwell and Culham, the businesses around Reading, Slough's productivity and Swindon's manufacturing, the region already works as one economy.^M

The councils themselves describe the Thames Valley as "the only region among the UK's top ten economies not served by a directly elected mayor".¹ We believe it should have one: one plan for transport, homes and skills, and one voice to government and investors.

What we believe

We are pro-growth, pro-prosperity and optimistic about technology. The Thames Valley is already where much of Britain's future is being built:

• Artificial intelligence at Culham, Britain's first AI Growth Zone.^E9
• Quantum computing and space at Harwell, home to the National Quantum Computing Centre.^M2
• World-leading science from Oxford, the UK's top university for spinout companies.^M1
• A £9bn digital economy around Reading.^E10
• Advanced manufacturing in Swindon, including new drone factories.^M12
• One in five of England's scientific research jobs outside London.^E6

A Thames Valley mayor would put these high-growth, future-facing industries at the heart of the region's story: planning the transport, homes, skills and power they need to grow here, and making the case for them with one voice. This is what the region already does best. A mayor would help it do more of it.

What we're asking for

• One elected mayor for the twelve council areas of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon.
• Real powers over transport, strategic planning and housing, skills and investment, as set out in the government's English Devolution White Paper.²
• By 2028, as the councils have proposed.^E15

Who we are

One Thames Valley is an initiative of Wheelcroft Media Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. It is:

• Volunteer-led. Nobody is paid to campaign. Everyone involved gives their time because they believe in the region.
• Independent. We are not part of any council, government department or public body.
• Non-party. We work with anyone, of any party or none, who wants the Thames Valley to have one voice.
• Self-funded. The campaign's small running costs are covered by Wheelcroft Media Limited. We do not accept donations, and we will never ask you for money.

Safe and easy to support

Getting involved is free, low-commitment and entirely on your terms:

• It costs nothing. We never ask for money.
• It doesn't sign you up to a party. Supporting us is not an endorsement of any party or candidate.
• You choose how much to do. Share a link, sign the petition or lend an hour. Step back at any time.
• Your details stay private. If you contact us, we use your details only to reply, and never sell or share them. See our privacy notice.

Want to help? Head to Get involved.

How we use evidence

Every figure we publish comes from official statistics or independent research, and every one is sourced on our evidence page. Where we combine published figures ourselves, we say so.

Get in touch

For press, business and briefing enquiries, email hello@onethamesvalley.uk.