Six candidates in race to be Labour's WECA mayor nominee

All the hopefuls are either serving or former councillors

Six current or former Labour councillors are in the running to stand as the party’s candidate to be West of England Combined Authority (Weca) metro mayor next year, according to information obtained by BristolLive. They are Bristol City Council’s Labour group leader Cllr Tom Renhard, who was the first to throw his hat in the ring last week, two ex-councillors who served in Marvin Rees’s cabinet – Nicola Beech and Helen Godwin – South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member for communities and local place Cllr Sean Rhodes, the authority’s health scrutiny committee chairman and backbencher Cllr Ian Scott, and Bath & North East Somerset Cllr Lesley Mansell.

This is the list of names that has been sent out to local Labour constituency branches and members. Only one – Cllr Mansell – has been the party’s nominee for the office before, finishing second behind Conservative Tim Bowles in the inaugural Weca mayor election in 2017 when she was a Radstock town councillor.

The current postholder, Dan Norris, who represents North East Somerset & Hanham in the House of Commons after ousting longtime Tory nemesis Jacob Rees-Mogg at July’s general election, will not be in the race after Labour changed its rules at its annual conference last month to stop MPs having second jobs in elected roles. Ms Godwin lost a close contest to be the party’s metro mayor candidate to Mr Norris three years ago and is understood to be running again, although neither she, nor Cllr Mansell, appear to have yet launched a campaign or made any public announcements.

Ms Godwin quit as a Bristol city councillor for Southmead ward in December 2021 four months after stepping down from her cabinet role for women, families and children to join global accountancy consultancy business PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ms Beech, who launched her candidacy on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, October 15, did not seek reelection for the council’s St George Central ward at May’s local elections, having served for eight years including as cabinet member for strategic planning, resilience and floods.

She said on her campaign website: “Next May is a unique opportunity; we no longer have a government holding us back. The West of England needs a bridge-builder to empower bold action, and that’s why I’m standing to be its Mayor.

“Together, we can shape our region – thinking forty years ahead, not just four – to tackle the issues we face head-on. No one should be priced out of owning a home in their own hometown.

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“Travelling around our region should be cheaper and more convenient. Well-paid jobs should be within reach whatever your passion is, and businesses should be better supported to nurture homegrown talent.

“We need urgent intervention on empty shops and abandoned buildings, alongside investment and stronger protections for the places and things we love – from sport to culture and nature – ensuring our region maintains its hold on world-class culture, education and industries. Like all parents I want the best for my kids, and that extends to my neighbours too.

“We deserve day-one benefits from a Labour Mayor and Government working hand-in-hand. You need an experienced campaigner who can build a united team, articulate a vision, and hit the ground running as Mayor, focused on results.

“I know I can do all of the above and more; leading national energy projects is my day job, leading the Planning and Climate portfolio on Bristol City Council is my background, and securing change is what drives my public service.” Her endorsements include from Cllrs Don Alexander and Kaz Self and former cabinet members and ex-Cllrs Helen Holland and Steve Pearce.

Cllr Sean Rhodes announced on social media on Sunday, October 13: “The West of England deserves a truly combined authority. As a psychologist and a South Glos Council cabinet member, I have the skills and experience to make this happen.

“That's why I am standing to be the Labour Party candidate.” Cllr Ian Scott posted on Facebook on Saturday, October 12: “I am applying to be the Labour candidate because I believe I have the right blend of political and local government experience.

“I have been a Labour member activist for over 40 years since joining Bristol East Labour Party in 1983 having been inspired by Tony Benn. I have led two referrals to the previous Government’s Secretary of State for Health for failing to deliver a promised Community Hospital at Frenchay and a Minor Injuries Unit at Cossham.

“I previously served as a Filton town councillor for 15 years and helped residents save Filton Clinic and improve local play and leisure facilities.” He said he had more than four decades of experience in industrial relations, including working in the Post Office, local government, education and serving six trade unions.

Cllr Scott said: “I have served as a Labour Constituency Party Secretary and Branch Chair. I previously served as Chair of the South Gloucestershire Public Transport Forum.

“I therefore have a very good understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the West of England Metro Mayor and the priorities to address such as affordable housing, economic investment recovery for growth and better transport including new train stations at St Anne’s Park and Filton North for the Arena.” As previously reported, Cllr Renhard said: "I’m standing for Mayor because every person in our region deserves the chance to thrive.

“Truly affordable homes, available for people locally, access to nature, the health services and transport we need alongside housing, new train stations, buses under public control and investment in communities and good jobs. We have talent across the region who have ideas to make people, places and nature thrive.

“Let’s empower, let’s join up our public transport system and let’s make sure everyone has the opportunity to access the skills, resources and good jobs needed to succeed.” His endorsements include from Cllrs Al Al-Maghrabi, Louis Martin, Katja Hornchen, Tim Rippington, Zoe Peat and former Cllr Brenda Massey.

The selection process will continue into the first three weeks of November. The metro mayor election takes place in May 2025.

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