30.11.18
Four bidding to become North of Tyne’s first-ever mayor
Four candidates have put their names forward to stand as Labour’s North of Tyne mayoral candidate.
Newcastle city councillor Jamie Driscoll and former North Tyneside cabinet member Ian Grayson have followed North East MEP Paul Brannen and leader of Newcastle CC Nick Forbes to nominate themselves for role.
The mayor will lead the new combined authority, which will consist of three North of Tyne councils – Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland – after ministers signed a £600m devolution deal earlier in the month.
The internal deadline to self-nominate for the position has now passed, which means the party’s candidate be North of Tyne’s first-ever mayor must be drawn from the pool of four.
Candidates must now secure support from party branches and affiliated unions before a shortlist is drawn up.
Brannen was the first to announce his candidacy, followed by Forbes putting his name forward, declaring he had the “credibility, experience and passion” to succeed in the role.
Grayson spent five years as the cabinet member for children, young people and learning at North Tyneside Council, and is currently a branch secretary at the National Union of Teachers.
He told Chronicle Live that “education is a big part of this devolution deal and I’ve got a lot of experience in the field so feel like I have something to offer.”
Driscoll, who was elected in the Monument ward in 2008, said he “would put economic democracy at the heart of what I do to make sure that money generated in the North East stays here.”
Devolution across the north will be discussed extensively at next year's EvoNorth, where Pat Ritchie will be speaking. Don't miss your chance to attend, visit the website here.
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