Bristol mayor candidates 2016

The race to become Bristol’s next mayor ends in May when the city goes to the polls. Here you will find who is standing for which party and who has come forward as an independent. More details about the candidates, including interviews and video, can be found here.

George Ferguson – Bristol 1st

Incumbent mayor George Ferguson is seeking a second and final term in office. Elected in November 2012, the former architect divides opinion with his commitment to tackling congestion with often unpopular traffic and parking schemes. He owns, and lives above, the Tobacco Factory and the adjacent Bristol Beer Factory. He is also a director of The Canteen on Stokes Croft and Harbourside No 1. www.bristol1st.com

Interview: Who is George Ferguson?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Marvin Rees – Labour

Marvin Rees is a former journalist and NHS manager who stood and lost against Ferguson in 2012. He was the strong favourite for the job right up until the results came in. Since then, Rees, 42, from Whitehall, has been back to work while continuing to campaign with the Labour Party. He is also the founder and director of the Bristol Leadership Programme which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop skills for employment and leadership and has worked with getting people from BME communities into politics. www.marvinrees.co.uk

Interview: Who is Marvin Rees?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Charles Lucas – Conservatives

Charles Lucas, councillor for Clifton ward, was selected as the Conservative candidate at an open primary election in September. Lucas was elected to the city council at the second attempt in 2013 and has acted as cabinet adviser for business change, arts, culture and sports. He is director of property development and management company Alexander Hastings and also Bristol Fine Wine Limited. He is also a member of the Society of the Merchant Venturers.

Interview: Who is Charles Lucas?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Kay Barnard – Lib Dems

Dr Kay Barnard is a professor of bio-chemistry who has held a position on the management board of the University of Bristol. She stood unsuccessfully as an MEP for the Lib Dems in 2009 and 2014 and was unveiled as the party’s mayoral candidate by national leader Tim Farron. Kay is also a charity director and a non-executive director of an NHS primary care trust. www.kaybarnard.org

Interview: Who is Kay Barnard?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Tony Dyer – Greens

Tony Dyer, the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Bristol South in 2015’s General Election, was selected to run for mayor in October, becoming the last major party candidate to be announced. The born and bred Bristolian is the son of a postie and used to work in construction before moving into IT. www.tonydyerforbristolsouth.org.uk

Interview: Who is Tony Dyer?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Paul Turner – Ukip

Paul Turner was nominated by the Bristol branch in February. The 53-year-old runs his own communications business and has been the treasurer for the Bristol Federation of Small Businesses. He stood for the party in the General Election in 2015, coming fifth in Bristol West. He has described himself as the “common sense candidate” and believes in restoring pride in the position of mayor.

Interview: Who is Paul Turner?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

John Langley – Independent

John Langley declared he would be running for mayor after splitting from Ukip and starting his own party in the wake of the General Election. Better known as Johnny Rockard, the former Bristol Ukip vice chairman was suspended by his old party for shooting and publishing a porn film showing him and his partner engaged in an oral sex act in Castle Park. After resigning from the party, he set up the Brigstow Assembly, inviting people to join and help him develop his policies.

Interview: Who is John Langley?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Paul Saville – Independent

Paul Saville and his adversary George Ferguson are already familiar with each other. Paul, an artist and campaigner, recorded the current mayor swearing at him at an event in the Bearpit, St James Barton roundabout, just months after the last election. Since then he has been a regular at council meetings and residents’ parking zones protests. He launched a crowdfunding bid in November to pay for the £500 deposit needed to become a candidate for May’s election.

Interview: Who is Paul Saville?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Christine Townsend – Independents for Bristol

Christine Townsend, 43, joined the mayoral race in November, putting her name forward to stand for Independents for Bristol, a group formed to support independent candidates. With a background in the education sector, she plans to use her campaign to raise awareness about the state of schools in the city. Picture from Twitter.

Interview: Who is Christine Townsend?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Tom Baldwin – Trade Union and Socialist Coalition

Tom Baldwin left his home town of Trowbridge to study physics at the University of Bristol, before being employed part-time by the Socialist Party. This is not his first attempt at running for mayor, and since the last election in 2012 it is safe to say that he has kept himself busy protesting against cuts to public services in Bristol. He is keen to place himself as the anti-austerity candidate at this election.

Interview: Who is Tom Baldwin?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’

Tony Britt – Independent

Tony Britt was born in Knowle West where he grew up with his family and two brothers. He has worked as a landscape gardener and for a number of companies and public bodies, including Avon County Council. Since his last bid for mayor in 2012 he has had an idea for generating renewable energy which he believes can protect the next generation of Bristolians from cuts.

Interview: Who is Tony Britt?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’ (coming soon…)

Stoney Garnett – Independent

 Stoney Garnett is a comedian, compere and very proud Bristol City fan. He has barely missed a home game since he was seven. Now retired, he lives in his home in Bristol with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. It is these grandchildren that he says he is standing for in this election. 

Interview: Who is Stoney Garnett?

Video: My campaign in 60 seconds

Opinion: ‘Why I should be mayor’