George Osborne’s policy, that could allow Labour moderates to build powerbases, is said to make Theresa May nervous

Theresa May is to ditch George Osborne’s policy of directly elected mayors for city regions, partly to avoid Labour using them as a platform for a revival in its heartlands, The Times has learnt.

The prime minister does not share the former chancellor’s enthusiasm for the plan to elect one individual for every city to be in charge of extra powers and cash devolved from Whitehall.

She is also said to be nervous that the policy would give a platform to Labour moderates such as Andy Burnham, the former shadow home secretary, who is hoping to be elected mayor of Manchester next year.

While the Manchester and Liverpool mayoral elections are likely to go ahead, Mrs May is expected to let the next phase of