Sir Keir Starmer urges West of England voters to choose a Labour mayor to represent the region
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, is encouraging people in the West of England to vote for a Labour mayor. He says the Labour Party has achieved a lot in the region, even though the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which covers Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire, was placed under special measures until earlier this year.
Speaking during a visit to a school in Bath, where he launched a programme for free breakfast clubs, Starmer explained that if both the local mayor and the national government are from the Labour Party, they can work together more effectively. He believes this teamwork could help bring the big changes that people in the region are hoping for.
However, Labour is facing some challenges in the area. Dan Norris, the Labour mayor for the West of England, was recently suspended after being arrested on suspicion of serious crimes, including sexual offences and rape. On top of that, Labour’s support in opinion polls has dropped, while other parties like the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and Reform UK are gaining ground as some voters feel let down by mainstream politics.
When asked if the fact that WECA was recently in special measures might affect Labour’s chances in the election, Starmer said they’ve been working hard with the local mayor to grow the economy and support local businesses. He stressed that this is a key part of his government’s plan.
He also praised Labour’s new candidate for mayor, saying she knows the region extremely well and is the right person for the job. He added that things are now clearer after recent changes and that it’s important to move forward with proper guidance and leadership.
On Thursday, May 1st, people living in the West of England will vote for their new regional mayor. There are six candidates running for the role. The winner will lead WECA and help shape decisions affecting transport, housing, jobs, and the local economy in Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
