Metro mayor wants to stand as MP at next General Election

The West of England’s metro mayor has announced he wants to stands as an MP in this year’s General Election.

Labour’s Dan Norris has confirmed he wants to take on Jacob Rees-Mogg in the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.

And Mr Norris is convinced he can carry out two roles at the same time.

The metro mayor has been an MP for the former Wansdyke constituency before losing his seat. He returned to politics when he was elected as the metro mayor in May 2021.

He said: “There are examples across the country of metro mayors being in Parliament as MPs for many years.

“One current metro mayor has just joined the House of Lords. When I was last in parliament, I was a government minister too – as all ministers have to be.

“I know from direct experience I would be able to continue to provide a top-quality service for constituents.”

He added: “I do intend to seek selection as Labour’s candidate in North East Somerset and Hanham.

“The new seat is very similar to the former constituency of Wansdyke I previously represented with parts of South Gloucestershire plus Keynsham and the rolling countryside of North East Somerset. It’s an area I’m deeply rooted in and very proud to call home.

“I really care about the richly diverse communities here. If selected, I would do all I could to earn the trust of local people to be able to represent them in Keir Starmer’s Labour Party in Parliament.”

The next metro mayoral elections are due to be held in 2025. Rishi Sunak recently announced that he is likely to call a General Election in the second half of the year.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who is stepping down in May, recently lost out in a bid to be Labour’s candidate in the Bristol North East constituency.

There is also a by-election due to be held in Kingswood following the resignation of Conservative MP and former minister Chris Skidmore.