The Labour Party in West Yorkshire will choose its candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor from today.
There are three candidates vying to be the Labour candidate to be the inaugural West Yorkshire Mayor.
They are Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe who is currently the leader of Bradford City Council, Tracy Brabin MP for Batley and Spen and Hugh Goulbourne a lawyer and local business leader from Huddersfield.
Speaking as the voting opens Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said:
“The next few days will be crucial for the Labour Party regionally. We need to choose the right person who can win this election for West Yorkshire Mayor and deliver the good growth that’s needed.
“I have proven leadership experience. I’ve led through this Covid crisis, have responsibility for skills across West Yorkshire, and I manage a budget of £380 million a year and always balance the books.
“I was the lead negotiator for the devolution deal after being elected by other council leaders in the region to be chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and I got the best deal the nation has ever seen. I’m hoping Labour members will put their trust in me.”
Candidate Hugh Goulbourne said:
“Next year we need to ensure a Labour West Yorkshire Mayor and I know I am the candidate to achieve that victory and bring real, achievable change to West Yorkshire. Ballots have dropped into Labour members inboxes and they have a tough choice.
I am not a politician and I want to make headway not headlines. I want to use my track record in business, in community activism and in environmental infrastructure projects to get things done for you. No talk, no bluster, just action.
I want to promote unity within the Labour movement and among the people of West Yorkshire to strengthen our voice. I want to reach out right across the region to include those voices that are often unheard or ignored, and I want to represent the best of everyone living here.”
Tracy Brabin MP said:
I’m West Yorkshire born and bred. I’m so proud to represent the area I grew up in, and I will be proud to use my voice to amplify the voices of those who aren’t heard across West Yorkshire.”
All the candidates have been campaigning and revealing what they stand for over the coming weeks.
Between them, the three candidates want to improve West Yorkshires
Health, Transport, Economy, Jobs, Housing, Discrimination, Environment
The candidates have gained endorsements from across the community with Imran Hussain MP, Actress Jodie Whittaker, Naz Shah MP, Holly Lynch MP and various local councillors from across the West Yorkshire region.
The closing date for the vote is noon on Friday, December 11. The winner will then take on the Green Party’s Andrew Cooper, The Yorkshire Party’s Bob Buxton and other candidates for the Conservatives that have yet to be confirmed. The Mayor Election will take place next year.
