News / Bristol
Battle for metro mayor heats up
The battle for who will become the West of England’s metro mayor is heating up ahead of the upcoming elections.
Voters go to the polls on May 4, to determine which one of six candidates will take on the new role and preside over a £1bn budget with devolved powers over transport, housing and education in the Greater Bristol region.
Chancellor Philip Hammond paid a flying visit to Bristol on Monday to help boost Tory candidate Tim Bowles’ campaign and discuss priorities for the region if Bowles is elected into the position.
is needed now More than ever
Key concerns outlined included the need for more homes, improved infrastructure and protection of green spaces.
The chancellor was given a tour of the SS Great Britain and an overview of plans to create a Being Brunel museum and visitor experience – a project which has received £620,000 of Government funding and is due to open in 2018 alongside the historic former passenger steamship.
Hammond said: “It was great to see how Government funding is being used to support tourism and cultural activity in the West Country.
“Bowles has ambitious plans for the West and will be the strong champion it needs, working with the Government to get the right deal for everyone in the region.
“I look forward to working with Tim if he’s elected, helping him support the region’s growing economy and new jobs with improvements to transport and help for locals to get on the housing ladder.”
Bowles said: “Our community is a great place to live with a growing economy and new jobs. But success brings demand for more housing – and transport infrastructure is just not keeping up. Locals want further improvements to 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.
“In the right hands, the mayor can make a real difference to the lives of people in the West. But we need a mayor who can work with our Government, local MPs and councillors to get things done instead of using the role to score political points.”
The six candidates in the running are Darren Hall (Green), John Savage (independent), Lesley Mansell (Labour), Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat), Tim Bowles (Conservative) and Aaron Foot (UK Independence Party).
Top L-R: Darren Hall (Green), John Savage (independent), Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat) Bottom L-R: Aaron Foot (UKIP), Lesley Mansell (Labour), Tim Bowles (Conservative)
Read more: Watch metro mayor hustings
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