West Midlands Metro Mayor: Who will get your vote?

A total of six candidates are seeking to to become the West Midlands’ first ever Metro Mayor on May 4th.

The Mayor will be put in charge of a budget of £1.1 billion over 30 years, to spend on improving the county. The cash is part of the government’s devolution plans, allowing local politicians to decide how money is spent in their area. All seven of the local authority leaders will be board members of a cabinet, which the West Midlands Combined Authority mayor will chair.
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What does a mayor do?

The Mayor will not act as a Ceremonial Mayor (like the Lord Mayor), but will be an ambassador for the region at government level and overseas. The elected Mayor will primarily work on three areas: transport, housing and skills.

Transport: The Mayor will manage a consolidated local authority transport budget, oversee the local roads network, bus franchising and smart ticketing. In order to benefit from high speed rail, it will also be important to ensure the West Midlands is prepared for the country being connected with HS2.

Skills: Local public services will merge so the most vulnerable benefit and service claimants won’t be restrained by local authority boundaries. The Mayor will aim to fill local skills shortages and reduce unemployment across the region. Managing expenditure on further education and colleges will also be under the cabinet’s remit.

Housing: According to the West Midlands Housing Association Partnership, the number of households in the county will grow by 250,000 over the next twenty years, a demand being added to the already existing shortfall in the region. The Mayor will have the authority to build new homes on empty land, and also return brownfield sites for housing and employment use.
Howver, many local authority decisions – such as services to schools, bin collections and fire services – will still be made by councils.

Overall, Combined Authority Mayors across the UK will have control over new long term budgets from central government, implement transport investment, strategic planning, improve skills and invest in new homes.

They will also lobby on behalf of their area, on the issues that matter to local people not only in Westminster, but on the world stage. They will work with local business leaders to achieve what’s best for local jobs and the economy and capitalise on local strengths and assets like our universities, scientific research and innovation.
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Who are the candidates?

WMCA chief executive and the Combined Authority Returning Officer Martin Reeves explained:

“This is the definitive list of candidates for the election and it is now down to the people of the West Midlands to make their choice.

“This election is a historic first for this region and I would urge people to ensure they are registered to vote and that they turn out on the day to do so.”

As polling day draws nearer, we take a look at the candidates and find out what they stand for, how they plan on improving the region’s housing, transport and economic prospects, and how they aim to improve and celebrate community cohesion and diversity.

West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Graham Stevenson is standing on behalf of the Communist Party

Party: Communist Party
Candidate: Graham Stevenson
Background: Trade union organiser, factory worker
Key Policies: Nationalising all public transport; nationalise the M6 toll road; Living Wage of £10 an hour

West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Andy Street is standing on behalf of the Conservative Party

Party: Conservatives
Candidate: Andy Street
Background: Managing Director (MD) of John Lewis
Key Policies: Introduce new Park and Rides; reopen Sutton Park to Aldridge Station line; spend £200m preparing brownfield land for housing

West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate James Burn is standing on behalf of the Green Party

Party: Greens
Candidate: James Burn
Background: Solihull Councillor
Key Policies: Support low carbon industry; support small businesses; increase the number of people on living wage

West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Siôn Simon is standing on behalf of the Labour Party

Party: Labour
Candidate: Siôn Simon
Background: MEP for West Midlands, former MP for Birmingham Erdington
Key Policies: Creating 8,000 new apprenticeships; nationalising the M6 Toll road; cap bus and tram fares at £4.40

West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Beverley Nielsen is standing on behalf of the Liberal Democrats

Party: Lib Dems
Candidate: Beverley Nielsen
Background: Businesswoman, educator and campaigner
Key Policies: Free public transport service for under 25s; grants for SMEs; spend £1bn improving local skills

West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Pete Durnell is standing on behalf of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP)

Party: UKIP
Candidate: Pete Durnell
Background: Computer consultant
Key Policies: Oppose HS2; convert empty shops and offices into housing; upgrade paths and tow paths into cycle lanes