February 17, 2025
By Harry Mottram: It’s now a five way fight to succeed Dan Norris as the Metro Mayor or rather as the official title of Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority or WECA. Mr Norris is stepping down due to Labour Party rules as he was elected as the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the general election in July 2024 ousting the Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg.
It’s opened the way for an election battle which perhaps won’t excite too many people due to the nature of the office at stake. But the post of Metro Mayor as it’s become known as has considerable power and cash – so perhaps it is a position that should have greater interest for the public who ultimately pay for the role.
The work of the Metro Mayor is broad. Dan Norris said: “We are tackling the challenges that matter to the people who live and work in the West of England. Central to everything we do is our ambition to address the climate and ecological emergency, and help people access decent jobs, and homes they can afford. Through our work, we’re giving residents access to new skills, training and job opportunities, as well as supporting businesses to succeed, and improving our region’s housing and transport.”
Buses, jobs, training, skills, housing – it is a broad portfolio – see https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/ for more information on the subjects covered. It is not a role that is without controversy as some feel there is an overlap with the authorities in Bath, Bristol and South Glos leading to… shall we say… a certain amount of disagreement. So who will win the election on May 1st, 2025?
Helen Godwin for Labour and Dan Norris’ successor would be normally installed as the favourite but Labour have had their issues since the General Election of last year – and they have lost ground in Bristol to the Greens. They have also had a slight problem as Ian Scott for Labour felt he was overlooked in the selection process and has chosen to stand as an independent – which may split the Labour vote. The Greens are on a high but now in power they have to make unpopular decisions – which may or may not help them. Steve Smith for the Conservatives will be hoping he can make head way for the Tories while Oli Henman will also hope to do well for the Lib Dems – now in control in Bath. Will more candidates join the battle – such as the Reform Party or the Socialist Party? Watch this space.
Standing in the West of England Metro Mayor election so far are:
Helen Godwin (Labour)
Oli Henman (Lib Dem)
Mary Page (Green)
Ian Scott (Independent)
Steve Smith (Conservative)
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Telegram, TikTok and Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
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