On 4th May, residents of Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bristol will have the opportunity to vote for the region’s first West of England Combined Authority Mayor. This is part of a devolution deal from central Government, allowing control of projects such as transport, adult education, employment and regeneration.

The winning candidate will oversee these projects and be in charge of finances for the region, while working closely with the Council Leaders, Tim Warren in Bath and North East Somerset, Matthew Riddle, in South Gloucestershire, and Marvin Rees, in Bristol. There are six candidates standing for the role of Mayor; guides to the voting process and a shortlist of the candidates have been posted to households across the area, and will be shortly arriving if they haven’t already. Anyone needing more information can visit: https://www.westofengland-ca.org.uk/ or if you missed the chance to see the candidates debate their policies, you can head to BBC iPlayer at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08n4gst

Tim Bowles – Conservative

I live and work locally, so I know why it’s important we have a Mayor who can champion our region – someone with a strong voice and a team player. With my experience in business and fourteen years in public service, I can get the deal our region deserves.

Our community is a great place to live, with a growing economy and new jobs. But success brings demand for housing – and transport infrastructure is just not keeping up. Locals want further improvements to road, rail and public transport, and they want help getting on the housing ladder – two of my key priorities.

I want the right homes built in the right places, so we protect our green spaces and prioritise urban regeneration.

I visited Midsomer Norton recently to discuss plans to redevelop the Welton Bag brownfield site, rejuvenate the town centre and boost jobs and investment via the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone.

I am the candidate best placed to work with Jacob Rees-Mogg, other local MPs, Council Leaders and Councillors, the Government and other stakeholders to bring important projects to fruition and make a real difference to the lives of people in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and across the West of England.

Aaron Foot – UKIP

“Direct Democracy can and will deliver outstanding levels of service and ensure all voices are heard.” This is why I’m going to champion a new era of democracy. An era where your Government actually listens to YOU, not just those in their party. An era where your money is spent how you want it, and only how you want it. And most importantly, an era where we once again have a Government of the people. But this era will not kick itself off. We need a fresh person to steer your thoughts and wishes into action. I want you to vote for me for West of England Mayor, so I can implement exactly what you, the people, want.

Now you’re asking why will I stick to my promises? As a farmer, I’ve faced many challenges – some of which can result in thousands of pounds being lost if dealt with wrongly. I’ve come to understand that if a large group of people believe in something and are willing enough to do something about it, they’re often right.

Britain’s greenfield sites of forest and fields are part of the make-up of this great nation and we must not, under any circumstances, build on these precious areas. We can build new houses on the many disused brownfield sites across the region without harming our beautiful natural spaces in the process. “Let’s champion change on May 4th.”

Darren Hall – Greens

I have lived in the Bristol area for the last fifteen years. After graduating from Swansea University as a Mechanical Engineer, I joined the RAF as an Engineering Officer and later, I took a Masters in Business. I was the national spokesperson for the FRANK drugs campaign and supported Gloucestershire’s recovery from 2007’s flooding. I worked five years with Bristol City Council, ran the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, and led the team that won the European Green Capital Award.

Over twenty years, I have become more active in campaigning on environmental issues and despite reservations, was persuaded to enter politics. I ran to be the Green Party’s Bristol West MP in 2015, achieving 23% of the vote. During the campaign I saw the Green Party’s vision and messages of hope connect with residents fed up with the same hollow promises.

We can improve the lives of thousands who live and work in the area by investing in better public transport, affordable housing, and jobs that pay a real living wage. We must do more for people through meaningful work and investment. We have the opportunity to become a world leader and create a strong, local economy that protects our planet as well.

Lesley Mansell – Labour

Lesley Mansell is standing as the Labour candidate for Metro Mayor because she wants to transform the West of England.

The NHS Equalities Manager at Southmead Hospital, who previously worked as an engineer and in local Government, knows that too many people in North East Somerset are struggling to get their foot on the housing ladder, juggling low-paid jobs in the gig economy and facing daily frustrations with their commute.

Her key pledges are: to build more social housing and affordable homes, create better jobs, training opportunities and apprenticeships, provide reliable, green and accessible transport, secure the best business deal for the region, including rolling out high speed internet, promote green energy policies and to protect our beautiful countryside.

She says seven years of a Tory Government, supported for five years by the Liberal Democrats, has seen local authority funding cut in real terms by 37%, devastating schools, youth services, social care, libraries, public health in North East Somerset … the list goes on. Lesley adds: “I can demonstrate I have the necessary skills to work with the leaders of all three local authorities, to deliver this complex role, so that it provides the most benefit for the most people.”

John Savage – Independent

John has lived in the region for nearly forty years and has experience running an award-winning NHS Trust, an educational funding body, a cross party leadership group, a regional transport body and many businesses. During his time in the region, he developed Cabot Circus and Bristol’s Harbourside regeneration, as well as working as Chairman of the Bristol Royal Infirmary and running the Bristol Initiative and Chamber of Commerce. He hopes to bring a new approach to how local Government is run in the West of England.

As Mayor, John pledges to end our transport nightmare by fixing roads, trains and buses and creating a decent and sustainable public transport system; build more homes; secure a great new deal from Westminster; keep the region open to the world, despite Brexit negotiations, and to help develop skilled people for skilled jobs across the region.

He said: “‘We can’t afford to waste this opportunity by electing just a politician or a bureaucrat to be Mayor of the region. We need someone who will get on with the job. With my experience, I will provide leadership to get great things done that will last for decades and not just a few years.”

Stephen Williams – Liberal Democrat

The election of our first Regional Mayor is an opportunity to make some of the big decisions that affect us all here in the West of England, rather than being dictated to by London. All those frustrations about local bus services, affordable homes and access to local jobs can now be addressed.

If I am elected, I will start a transport revolution, using the new bus franchising powers to introduce cashless payment to speed up journeys and to have more night bus services to the towns and villages around Bristol and Bath. I would seek an environmentally suitable site on the A37 for a Park & Ride, to speed up journeys from Midsomer Norton and Radstock. This will give easier access to the jobs and attractions of Bristol.

But I also want to rebalance the regional economy, so that there are more local, high quality jobs. I will work to make a success of the Somer Valley Enterprise Area, showcasing the towns to prospective investors.

We need a Mayor who understands the needs of the region and has the experience to make a success of devolution. As a former Government Minister, I have the right skills to make a difference for everyone in Midsomer Norton and Radstock.