Mayoral long list revealed by the Labour Party
Labour has released its “long list” of candidates for its choice of West Midlands Mayor in 2024.
Three candidates have been featured, with two coming from the office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Simon Foster. Credit: West Midlands PCC
Simon Foster, the current West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner alongside Birmingham city councillor Nicky Brennan, who is also the victims commissioner are in the runnings.
Former partner at PwC Richard Parker has also made the list. ITV News claims that he already has the backing of three former candidates, Liam Byrne MP, union activist and former council leader Pete Lowe and former Minister Lynda Waltho.
Candidates must secure the backing of either Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) and/or affiliated trade unions. There are 28 CLPs in the West Midlands across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Since the list was revealed, Parker been backed by Birmingham Hodge Hill CLP, Sutton Coldfield CLP and Community Union.
Nicky Brennan. Credit: West Midlands PCC
Labour candidates have struggled against Conservative Mayor Andy Street, who became the first person to hold the office of Mayor in 2017. He entered his second term in 2021 and increased his majority 7%. Street says he will stand for a third term.
Cllr Brennan tweeted after the list was announced and said: “I’m running to be the Labour candidate for the West Midlands Mayor.
“The West Midlands is at a crossroads, we’re on the cusp of a Labour government that will change lives for the better.
“I’m ready to play my part in our region by being the champion the West Midlands needs.”
In a message to Labour Party members, Parker said: “Together we will reach out to people in every part of this region to deliver a Labour victory. A victory that will give people hope, change people’s lives and changes the places they live.
“My journey has not been conventional. It was access to opportunity that transformed me from leaving school at 16 to someone succeeding in business. Opportunities that many no longer get.
“Eight years ago I worked with Labour Leaders to put the Mayoral Combined Authority together. We had aims and ambitions; for fairness, for inclusion, for investment – we had hope.
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But that has been eroded. We simply cannot go on like this. I am not prepared to stand back anymore. Allowing a Tory Mayor, and a catalogue of Tory Prime Ministers write us off.
“I won’t rest until we have an integrated public transport system. We will work to ensure no place is left behind – building pride in our place.
“I will lead an all-out assault on low pay to help those suffering from the cost of living crisis.”
When Foster announced his intention to run, he tweeted: “In 2021, I was elected by the people of the West Midlands to rebuild community policing and hold the police service to account.
“Together, with your support, we beat the Tories against all the odds. Now they want to abolish the PCC and your right to vote, because they don’t have the courage to face me at the ballot box.
“They want to remove me, because I know what it takes to win, to represent the people of the West Midlands and how Labour in power makes a positive difference to people’s lives”.
Labour’s candidate for metro mayor is due to be announced on April 14.
