By Harry Mottram: On Thursday, May 1st, 2025, Bathonians can vote in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority election to replace Dan Norris who became a Labour MP.
Known as the Metro Mayor the roll is in charge of a combined authority within the West of England area, consisting of the local authorities of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset. Based on the old Avon County originally North Somerset was to be part of the regions but it opted out.
The responsibilities include strategic planning in the region and largely has a focus on transport, with the local transport plan featuring bus and rail projects. The idea is for metro mayors – there have similar roles across the country including Greater London, Greater Manchets, South Yorkshire and Liverpool City Area to coordinate strategy.
In the last elections all but the Tees Valley were won by Labour – Tees Valley being Conservative. This time only this area and the one covering Cambridge are having an election with the others in 2028.
There are five candidates so far declared for this region with Helen Godwin for Labour hoping to take over from Dan Norris. She said her strong connection with Kier Starmer’s Labour Government will help to secure funding and support for the region – and will build on the work of Mr Norris.
Lib Dem Oli Henman is familiar to Bathonians as he is a B&NES councillor for Walcot and is the Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travels so will be on top of his transport brief if elected.
Mary Page from the Green Party will hope to capitalise on the party’s increasing vote share in Bristol and the region in general. Her policy of a New Green Deal has set out the economic benefits of green energy, sustainable housing, and improved public transport.
Steve Smith for the Conservatives will be looking to re-establish the Tories as the main opposition after last year’s drubbing at the polls. Keen on improving links with business he will create a strategic advisory and investment board to increase infrastructure.
Ian Scott fell out with Labour and is standing as an Independent and is promoting new railway stations in North Bristol and a new Community Hospital in Frenchay.
A sixth candidate has entered the election – businessman Arron Banks for the Reform Party. He founded the Leave EU campaign and UKIP before backing Reform with Richard Tice MP.
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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