By local democracy reporter John Wimperis: People across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire will be casting their votes for the new West of England Metro Mayor on May 1 — and we have asked each candidate why they deserve yours.
Six candidates are standing for the role in what is expected to be a very close election. According to a YouGov poll published on Friday April 25, the Green Party’s Mary Page is the current frontrunner — but only with a 27% share of the vote.
The poll put Labour’s Helen Godwin hot on her heels with 23% of the vote, and a short way behind Reform’s Arron Banks on 18% is “neck and neck” with Conservative Steve Smith on 17%. YouGov put Liberal Democrat candidate Oli Henman is on 13%, with independent Ian Scott polling at 2%.
But it is the election on May 1 which matters. Counting will take place overnight at four locations across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, with a declaration of the result expected early Friday morning.
In the previous mayoral elections in 2017 and 2021, voters used a “supplementary vote” system to elect the metro mayor. But now the election will use “first past the post” — the same voting system as used in general elections. It means that voters will only vote for one candidate and will not have a second preference vote.
The metro mayor heads the West of England Combined Authority which is responsible for improving transport across the region and attracting and delivering major investment. The role is only set to become more powerful under the Labour government’s English Devolution plans.
Here is what the six candidates say they would do with the role and why they are the right person to have it:
Arron Banks
We had no response to our request for a statement from Arron Banks, but in his page of the West of England Combined Authority’s mayoral election voting and candidate information leaflet, he says:
My plan is to hold the local councils accountable and demand they provide better services while cutting waste. I’m shocked but not surprised by the level of incompetence from all three local councils.
My pledge is:
- To shut the Metro Mayor’s Office and the fancy building, and to create a small focussed team working on your priorities.
- To dismantle waste, cut bureaucracy, and improve the services you rely on.
- To commission a rolling independent audit to uncover waste, fraud, and mismanagement, ensuring full transparency.
- To donate the entire salary as West of England Metro Mayor to a range of local charities.
- To demand the re-opening of Thornbury High Street to cars and work to restore life to the town.
- To deliver real services and common sense policies, not play petty politics.
Helen Godwin
I’m Helen Godwin, and this region isn’t just where I work – it’s my home, where I was born, where my children are growing up, and where my family’s roots run deep across the West Country.
My vision as your Labour Mayor is straightforward: deliver real change for the West of England. I’ve already done it as a Bristol cabinet member, protecting vital services despite challenging circumstances. Now I’m ready to think bigger.
I get things done. It’s my reputation in both business and politics. I bring the right people together – investors, business leaders, government officials – and make change happen. This collaborative approach is how we’ll transform our region’s potential into reality.
My priorities are clear: reliable buses and trains that connect our communities with one ticket, one timetable; affordable homes in the right places with essential services; and creating pathways to green jobs that power our future economy.
As a local voice working with our Labour government, I’ll secure the investment our region deserves. Look around the country – other mayors are bringing in new infrastructure, economic growth and jobs. Our region has the potential to achieve even more.
From improving public transport to expanding skills training through our Regional Green Skills Academy, I’ll focus on practical solutions that make a real difference to daily life across Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire.
No empty promises – just hard work, strong partnerships, and a determination to make the West of England the best place to live, work and raise a family.
That’s my commitment to you.
Oli Henman
I’m ready to bring real meaningful change to the West of England. I believe in working together for a fairer, greener and brighter future. As Mayor I would listen to residents and work in partnership to set out a joint vision to improve our region and provide new opportunities for prosperity for people across the whole region.
We need to rebuild trust and credibility in the West of England Mayor and I know how to bring people together around a shared purpose to deliver change. I’m a local Councillor and have professional expertise in project delivery on international sustainable development.
Over recent years, the West of England has missed out on much needed investment due to a lack of strategic vision, and lack of collaboration. I’m committed to cutting waste in the Mayor’s office and putting power back where it belongs: in the hands of local communities.
I will deliver local bus services through franchising, improving reliability, guaranteeing and bringing back essential routes, and capping fares. I will urgently review the options for a mass rapid transit system, as a central part of a more integrated system to connect all of our major infrastructure and employment centres. I will prioritise social housing and genuinely affordable housing in locations with good transport connections. I will work with local businesses, start-ups, technology experts and engineering companies to create quality jobs and career opportunities in the industries of the future. I will also promote biodiversity through regional nature partnerships, supporting community groups, conservationists and local farmers to implement natural flood management and ecosystem restoration.
I am ready to step up and deliver on day one, it’s time for positive change.
Mary Page
It’s time for a New Green Deal for the West of England. Without a Just Transition for good jobs and welfare, better transport, access to clean air and water, with a safe and warm place to live, there can be no equal opportunity.
We can use WECA Transport, Adult Skills and Spatial Planning funding to nurture local action, map future needs and protect our nature. I will create collaborative partnerships between local councils and private companies which empowers everyone to prioritise the planet. I have a WE CAN Plan. A WECA Nature, Nurture and Needs Plan with sustainability at heart.
I have a plan to put the heart back in our communities, the power back in hands and to grow the region sustainably
Nature: Protect our Environment and empower communities
Nurture: Grow a thriving Green economy with sustainable skills
Needs: Deliver reliable, regular and integrated transport
1st week: Ask officers
- how to better support Community projects and how charities/third sector can apply for funding bids.
- to begin a review of all policies and process to better support environmental/sustainability and community resilience.
- to prepare a report on how to implement Franchising (taking control of the bus routes, fares and timetables.
1st year: Outcomes
- Prioritise how environmental protections are embedded into neighbourhood and local plans
- Raise adult skills attainment in maths, English, digital skills and Green tech, focusing on marginalised and under-represented communities
- Deliver free/cheap/discounted travel with an integrated smart travel card.
Mary Page Bio:
Work: Business Development, Community Project Worker, Journalist, Communications, Co-Founder: It’s Our City Bristol
Leisure: Hockey, Surfing, DnB, Trance music.
Ian Scott
We had no response to our request for a statement from Ian Scott, but in his page of the West of England Combined Authority’s mayoral election voting and candidate information leaflet, he says:
Speaking Truth to Power! Standing up for Your Rights as a Local Independent Candidate!
GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK!
WE need to Bridge the Gap again and work with North Somerset where the only Airport and Royal Portbury Docks are economic generators for the West of England. The Gateway to the World. The West of England is a Net Contributor to the British Economy but is not in the first tranche of Integrated Funding? Like West Yorkshire is!
West Yorkshire or West of England? National Political Party or Local Independent? You have the Power!
Being Old is not a Crime! Experience is a Good Thing!
MY EXPERIENCE
Grew up in St Anne’s Park Bristol – Lived in Filton since 1988 – Home to the Aerospace Industry, MOD and the Post Office
Illustrating WE need International – National and Local Investment
Public Service & Political Activist for over 40 years
- Current South Gloucestershire Councillor – 10 years
- Chaired South Gloucestershire Council Health Scrutiny
- Filton Councillor – 15 years
- School Governor – 12 years – Primary and Secondary
- West of England – European Structure Investment Fund Member – 3 years
- Avon Fire Authority Member – 4 years
- Bristol University Court Member – 5 years
- GFA Football Association Committee Member – 2 years
- Southwest Councils – BTEC Local Governance Level 4 – Assessor
Standing up for Your Rights as an Independent
I will Speak Truth to Power and Support:
- Better Health Services: New Frenchay Community Hospital and Urgent Treatment Centre.
- Improved Buses and Transport: Cheaper Bus Fares and Better Bus Routes and Train Services. New Local Train Stations – like St Anne’s Park and Filton North. More Respect for Residents and Car Users in Consultations.
- Council House Waiting Lists Are Too Long! More Council and Affordable Homes. Better Protection for Renters.
- Skills Training that Supports New Industry jobs and Housing
Steve Smith
Better public transport and ending the war on the motorist. More homes built on regeneration sites to ease the pressure on the Green Belt. These are my top priorities.
I will end the war on the motorist. On day one I will scrap the former Labour Mayor’s plan to put 24hour bus lanes on the A4 between Bath and Bristol at Keynsham. Their plan to halve the road space would create massive congestion and rat-running. I will stop the blank cheques of your regional money to bankroll road closures and unpopular unwanted schemes like LTN’s. There must be a much higher level of public support for new schemes, proven transport benefits and value for money.
Instead of wasting money, I will invest in improving public transport – building up the bus network, after over 40 services, many of them rural, were cut. Supporting this will be a massive expansion of rail; aiming to open five new stations in two years and progressing another three.
I will continue to fight for the Green Belt. The Green Belt faces being stripped away by Labour to allow huge urban sprawl. The current Mayor has been silent on this. I won’t be and will continue to fight alongside campaigners. As Mayor the most practical way I can help is to introduce an ambitious regional “brownfield first” approach to housing. We have to build more homes – but in the right places. I will do everything possible to focus the whole region on building on regeneration sites. Where necessary funding the clean-up to make them viable. Focusing in particular on massive redevelopment in Bristol City Centre, which is the most sustainable location for homes.
This election is a choice between Labour and me. So, choose to end the war on the motorist and support our Green Belt.
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