Saturday saw some of the most important results from the local elections announced, following those that were confirmed on Friday.
On Friday, it was confirmed that Ben Houchen would return as the mayor of the Tees Valley, whilst a throng of newly elected mayors were confirmed in new authorities. York and North Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the North East have appointed their first mayors, and all three of those positions saw the Labour candidate emerge victorious. The incoming inaugural mayors are:
- David Skaith – York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Kim McGuinness – North East Combined Authority
- Claire Ward- East Midlands Combined County Authority
Another of the main battlegrounds that people across the country were keeping an eye on was the result of the London Mayoral election. The Conservative Party’s candidate, Susan Hall, seemed confident of her chances of beating the incumbent Sadiq Khan, however it was announced over the weekend that Khan had been re-elected for a third term.
Commenting on what he plans to achieve in his third term, Khan said:
“My third term will be about pulling out all the stops to give them the best possible chance of success here in our city. From setting up baby banks to aid our children’s development at the dawn of their lives, to making free school meals permanent for all our primary school pupils. From working with London’s major employers to create high-quality jobs and apprenticeships to standing up for renters’ rights and building more social and affordable housing so young families can put down roots. And from investing to support youth clubs and positive opportunities for young Londoners, to keeping the daily commute more affordable and delivering free skills training to those who are unemployed or in low-paid work.”
In the North, Labour’s Mayors in Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire were all also re-elected for a further term in office. Previously combining to push for progress in important areas such as transport systems that link the North’s major cities, those mayors will be looking to continue the work they are doing.
Also commenting on his re-election, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:
“We want to concentrate on the things that are really important to people right the way across the Liverpool City Region.
“We want to attract people to come to the region, it should be the go-to place.
“I’ll do everything I can to ensure our economy grows year on year.”
Notably, as Rotheram and his Greater Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham begin their new terms in office, this will bring further development on the proposed improved rail links between Manchester and Liverpool. As reported by Public Sector Executive, this will seek to deliver on the Northern Powerhouse Rail that was promised by HS2, as well as improving routes into both major cities.
Whilst the majority of the incumbent regional mayors held onto their positions, one did not. In the West Midlands, two-term Conservative mayor Andy Street lost out to Labour’s Richard Parker by approximately 1,500 votes. As he comes into the role, Parker has set out his pledges for the region, including:
- Creating 150,000 jobs and training opportunities across the region
- Revitalising high streets and bringing back pride in the region’s towns
- Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
- Bringing buses back under public control
- Addressing the housing crisis, and cracking down on rogue landlords
Parker spoke about what it meant to be chosen to lead the region, saying:
“What a privilege it is to lead the West Midlands Combined Authority.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work, delivering my policies and my pledges and being a voice for the West Midlands nationally and internationally.
“This is the honour of my lifetime, and I won’t let you down.”
Image credit: iStock
