Green Bristol Mayor candidate: “It’s between me and the Labour Mayor”

In the final days of the election campaign, it’s become clear that the contest for the Mayor of Bristol is between the Greens and Labour. The Green candidate for mayor, Sandy Hore-Ruthven, has seen his odds of winning slashed from 50-1 down to 6-1, making him the only candidate with realistic prospects of beating Labour Mayor Marvin Rees.

On the doorstep, Greens say the reason is clear: voters want Sandy as Mayor because of his excellent track record and his ambitious but realistic plans to help Bristol’s economy recover, then thrive.

Sandy is best known for his career as CEO of the charity Creative Youth Network, having taken it from a small operation to the largest in Britain of its type. Along the way he has raised millions, transforming the derelict fire station in the centre of Bristol into a thriving youth hub, and offering tens of thousands of young people opportunities to learn and succeed.

Sandy outside The Station, which he transformed from a derelict fire station into a thriving youth hub serving tens of thousands of young people
© Jon Craig Photos

If elected as Mayor, Sandy says the economic recovery from Covid will be his priority.

He said: “We must act. Covid rates are dropping now but the pandemic has left a trail of destruction and Bristol traders are paying the price. Businesses have closed; people have lost their jobs and the threat of Covid isn’t over.

“If I become Mayor, helping our economy to recover and bringing our city back to life will be my top priority. I will start by investing £10m in our high streets bringing local jobs to local people and keep business going.

“And I will build 2,000 new council homes to make sure the most vulnerable in Bristol have a place to call home, and create 10,000 new green jobs in the process – as well as insulating homes and investing in clean energy to help us fight climate change.

Green mayor candidate, Sandy, meets with small business owners to discuss economic recovery.
© Jon Craig Photos

“Bristol is a resilient city but we can’t be complacent. Together we can recover and thrive and make sure no one is left behind.”

A Green Mayor is a realistic option in Bristol, like nowhere else in the country. It’s a close race between Greens and Labour – and the Greens say that residents across the city tell them they are looking for real change. Doorstep conversations with voters repeatedly raise disillusionment with the current Mayor’s approach to running the city, and point to a failure to address problems such as poor air quality, congestion and not taking the climate emergency seriously enough.

They also point to the Labour administration’s loss of £50m over Bristol Energy, and the £50m overspend on the Bristol Beacon as showing that the city needs to be led by someone with a proven track record of success in business such as Sandy.

Sandy said: “It’s clear that Greens can win in Bristol, as we did in the 2019 European elections. On May 6th, please vote for Green councillors in your area – and for a Green Mayor so that the city can recover, then thrive.”

You can find out more at www.sandy4mayor.co.uk.

Top photo: Green mayor candidate, Sandy Hore-Ruthven, says his economic recovery plan will help Bristol recover and thrive. ©