Both the Conservatives and the Green Party have announced their candidates for the new West of England combined authority Mayoral election, due on May 4th this year. They line up alongside Peasedown St John and Westfield Parish Councillor, Lesley Mansell, who was selected by Labour recently to stand as their candidate.

Conservative:

Tim Bowles, the Conservative candidate, will go before the public vote on May 4th to become the new Mayor for the region, working with three West of England councils (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire) to invest £1bn into the region’s transport, housing, skills training and business support, along with other devolved powers.

He said: “The devolution deal is an opportunity to harness real power and create growth in the West of England. I want to bring together my experiences in politics and business to serve the region so that we build an economy that works for everyone.”

Tim is an experienced Councillor and businessman and his initial priorities include: producing a clear strategy to boost economic growth and prosperity for locals, developing long term solutions for the region’s transport and housing needs, attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones to provide opportunities throughout the region, and improving higher education.

“If elected, I will work with our MPs, Government, local political and business leaders to negotiate new opportunities and deliver positive change for our region,” added Tim.

Green Party:

Darren Hall, who stood for the party in the 2015 Parliamentary Elections as its candidate for Bristol West, will vie for the chance to be elected as Metro Mayor for the region representing the South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset areas.

Welcoming his selection, Darren said: “I am honoured to have been selected by Green Party members from across the Bristol and Bath area to represent them in this role.

“I passionately believe though that this isn’t about local politics, there is an incredibly important job to do.

“This is about practical, positive change to ensure Bristol and Bath have a prosperous long-term future.

“Our region is home to top quality jobs in design, technology, finance and legal sectors, but we have to make sure they are fit for the future, as well as offering opportunities for all those that aren’t currently part of that success story.

“This position of Metro Mayor is a fantastic opportunity for us to have a greater say in how we direct millions of pounds of investment into the infrastructure, planning and education that can, and must, put local communities first.”

As well as North Somerset Council, which voted against the proposal, the three authorities were offered a £900m deal over thirty years to invest in key areas, in the March Budget.

Through devolution, the councils will be given additional powers in a number of areas, including housing and transport.

Molly Scott Cato, South West MEP and Green Party parliamentary candidate for Bristol West, said: “Having worked with Darren during his Bristol West parliamentary campaign in 2015, I saw how he reached out to thousands of people, securing 26% of the vote in the constituency.

“He has a natural charisma and an affinity to the neighbourhoods in and around Bristol.

“As an MEP I can see the need for regional cooperation and planning and I am convinced that Darren, as a Green Metro Mayor, is the right person to fulfil that role.”