Elections looming for East Midlands mayor devolution pushed across country

Devolution, the act of transferring powers held centrally in Westminster to local government, is already common across the UK with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland enjoying devolved power since the 1990’s.

Ten areas, including Greater London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands already have a directly elected mayor and wider decision-making powers for transport, housing, education, and the environment.

Three more areas, the East Midlands, the North East, and York and North Yorkshire, in 2024, plus four more next year will officially create new authorities.

How is the East Midlands to benefit?

The new authority, home to 2.2 million people, is worth £50.5billion (GVA) to the economy and is home to Rolls Royce, Toyota, and Boots. It has the UK’s largest freight airport - East Midlands Airport.

It is also one of the lowest funded regions per capita.

In the East Midlands, an additional £4bn in funding is being offered to the region, but despite this some residents are sceptical of the creation of a new layer of local government.

In a public consultation (4869 replies) organised by local councils between November 2022 and January 2023, only 42 per cent of respondents supported proposals for the governance of a directly elected mayor.

The position is a condition set by the Government if an area is to gain access to the most powers and highest level of funding.

Devolution is a central pillar in the Government’s levelling-up promise.

A Department for Levelling Up spokesperson said: “Levelling up – driving prosperity in all parts of the United Kingdom – is done best when local people can make decisions on the things that matter to them in the places they call home.

“Our devolution deal with the East Midlands will drive growth and boost opportunity in the region, demonstrating our commitment to devolving more money and power to local leaders.”

Who are the candidates?

GB News approached all five mayoral candidates for interview, three of them while at an event debating the election's most important issues organised by business network Nottingham Partners.

Cllr Ben Bradley MP, Conservative

Ben Bradley has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for Mansfield since 2017 and leader of Nottinghamshire County Council since 2021.

GB News asks why should the East Midlands welcome the creation of the new authority?

“We have a really complicated regional layer made up of business, skills, transport bodies that are all a bit mysterious and broken up,” said Ben Bradley. “This brings it all together into something coherent.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands vote for him?

Ben said, “This is a new organisation, so it needs somebody experienced in this line of work. It needs somebody with a real local basis and background across what is a big and diverse region and I think I’m the only one that ticks that box.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands trust a new layer of politician?

“This will have more impact on your community than even a general election will. This about delivery in your community,” Ben said. “It’s about your bus route, about fixing your roads, about the courses you can access and the jobs near where you live. It’s really meaningful.”

Claire Ward, Labour

Claire Ward served as a Labour Minister and the Member of Parliament for Watford between 1997 and 2010. She is currently Chair of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

GB News asks why should the East Midlands welcome the creation of the new authority?

Claire said “We know that this is the opportunity to drive through change to bring the powers and funding from Westminster and make decisions locally. We’ve seen the examples across the rest of the country where mayors have made that change and we have been left behind. I want to make sure the East Midlands has its fair sure of the funding and we can make decisions locally.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands vote for her?

“I am the candidate with the most experience, not just in politics but also work within the NHS and setting up big business,” she said. “I want to bring all of that, along with the passion that I have for change in this community because I want to make sure the people across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have the best opportunities.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands trust a new layer of politician?

“I really understand why people feel burnt by politics. They’ve seen what’s happened over the last fourteen year, the disgraceful behaviour of our government and the way they have treated people with contempt. I want to change that. I will put place before party and speak as needed whether it is a Conservative government or a Labour government to get the best deal.”

Cllr Matt Relf, Independent

Matt Relf has been an Ashfield Independent councillor on Ashfield District Council since 2018 and is currently Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning.

GB News asks why should the East Midlands welcome the creation of the new authority?

Matt Relf said, “It’s bringing power and decision making and money down to our local area so we can make the right choices for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. That’s why I think I’m the right person for this because I’m Independent. I’m not answering to anybody in Westminster, there’s no party leader telling me how to do this job. I only answer to the electorate right here.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands vote for him?

“The combined authority is bringing powers around transport, skills and business, housing and education,” he said. “These are all things I have experienced both in my professional career and my political career. I’ve also been the most successful councillor in the whole country in bidding for more money from government which is what we need to do with this authority.

GB News asks why should the East Midlands trust a new layer of politician?

Matt said, “I can totally understand why people are dissatisfied with politics. The way they have been treated by the main parties is horrendous and I can see why trust is broken. But disengaging from politics is the last thing we need. We need people to engage and make sure we are voting in people we can trust.”

Cllr Frank Adlington-Stringer, Green

Frank is North East Derbyshire District Council's first-ever Green Party Councillor and also the Vice Chair of the Council's Environment Scrutiny Committee.

GB News asks why should the East Midlands welcome the creation of the new authority?

Frank said: “The majority (45%) of the public opposed the creation of an East Midlands Mayor, yet the politicians, led by Conservative candidate Ben Bradley, went ahead and did it anyway! Nothing like creating a taxpayer-funded job for yourself, Ben. If we are going to have a Mayor then it should be someone who listens to our communities. That is exactly what I propose to do. As your Mayor, I will deliver a Green Industrial Revolution for our communities and involve you every step of the way. My £1billion plan for the region will be guided by citizens assemblies, ensuring that our economic transformation provides opportunity for us all.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands vote for you?

He said: “I have a plan for a Green Industrial Revolution in the East Midlands. This means reigniting our proud manufacturing past and ensuring our local economies are fit for the future. I will deliver an integrated and modern transport network to connect industry across our region. I will provide free future-ready training for job seekers and those looking to transition providing a huge boost to our manufacturers. I will build at least £16million worth of energy-efficient, sustainable, and genuinely affordable community housing ensuring that Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are leading the way. I will make the East Midlands a powerhouse of the future, rather than just continuing with this failing business as usual.”

GB News asks why should the East Midlands trust a new layer of politician?

Frank said: “Labour's Nottingham City Council is bankrupt, whilst the Conservative's Derbyshire County Council is tanking due to a £33million budget black hole. The establishment has failed us, yet again. Of course, electing a red or blue mayor won't change anything, but I will offer real scrutiny and hold them to account. Unlike the others, I am not whipped by party hierarchy meaning that I am free to do what is best for the East Midlands, not London. I pledge to spend all of the Mayoral budget in our region, and where that's not possible, invest in startups to ensure we can in the future.”

Cllr Alan Graves, Reform UK

Alan Graves has been a councillor on Derby City Council since 1995 representing different parties. He is currently the leader of Reform UK in the city, plus ceremonial mayor of the council.

GB News extended an invitation for a TV interview to Alan Graves but he was unable to take part. He has provided a statement regarding his objection to the creation of the East Midlands Combined County Authority and why he is standing.

Alan Graves said, “This new political position is another red herring on the political landscape and a complete dereliction of the Government’s duties towards its citizens. Whether it is the Conservative Party or the Labour Party the collaboration between them to gerrymander this new layer of politician is typical of the greed of mainstream political parties.”

He continued, “Nobody asked the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire whether they wanted this position, in fact, Derby City Council prevented me from raising the issue of a referendum on this important matter. Government says it is levelling up but in fact it is a dumbing down of democracy. My idea of getting all the MPs in the area to form a committee to spend money already allocated to the area was dismissed. Even though each MP has a vested interest in their own area and this idea would get them to work together for the betterment of our two counties.”

“Instead, they all voted to put these decisions into one person’s hands. That is not devolution or levelling up, it is a dictatorship. I am standing on a platform that gives people a voice to reject this idea of an extra imposed political post. If elected it will show the government and those political parties who advocate this that, you the people should be heard.”

Residents in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire will elect the new East Midlands mayor on Thursday May 2, 2024.