VOTERS across South Gloucestershire, Bristol and B&NES will elect a new West of England Mayor on May 1.
The leader of the West of England Combined Authority has the task of coordinating the region’s transport, housing, infrastructure, jobs, skills and business support strategies.
Whoever wins the election is expected to be given extra powers in the years ahead, as the government promises to devolve more spending and decision-making to regions.
They will be responsible for delivering the region’s Local Growth Plan, to drive economic growth over the next ten years.
The mayor has to work with the leaders of the three councils that make up WECA to deliver policies.
The Voice asked all of the parties and the independent candidate contesting the election to send a 20-word biography and 100-word manifesto outlining their experience and their priorities if they win the election.
Their responses appear in the order the candidates’ names will be on the ballot paper.
Arron Banks, Reform UK
Reform UK did not respond to our request.
Their manifesto in WECA’s election booklet pledges:
To shut the Metro Mayor’s Office and the fancy building, and to create a small focused team working on your priorities.
To dismantle waste, cut bureaucracy, and improve the services you rely on.
To commission a rolling independent audit to uncover waste, fraud, and mismanagement, ensuring full transparency.
To donate the entire salary as West of England Mayor to a range of local charities.
To demand the re-opening of Thornbury High Street to cars and work to restore life to the town.
To deliver real services and common sense policies, not play petty politics.
Helen Godwin, Labour
Helen Godwin: Bristol-born business leader delivering a new chapter for the region through better transport, housing and green jobs.
As your Regional Mayor, I’ll deliver real change for the West of England.
Born and raised here, I understand our region’s needs.
My priorities: better connected communities through reliable buses and new railway stations; affordable homes with essential services; sustainable economic growth creating green jobs; and strengthened education-to-employment pathways.
With proven experience as a Bristol cabinet member and business leader, I get things done by bringing the right people together. Working alongside a Labour government, unlocking the funding our region deserves.
Offering a practical roadmap, not empty promises—powered by passion, pride, and a deep commitment to our shared future.
Oli Henman,
Liberal Democrat
Oli Henman is a local Councillor and has a background in project delivery on international sustainable development.
I will champion the needs of all local residents. I will deliver affordable and accessible transport, sustainable housing and the jobs of the future.
I will take control of local bus services through franchising, improving reliability, guaranteeing and bringing back essential routes, and capping fares. I will prioritise genuinely affordable housing in locations with good transport connections. I will also work with local industry to improve training and build the jobs of the future.
I’m committed to cutting waste in the Mayor’s office and putting power back where it belongs: in the hands of local communities.
Mary Page, Green
Work: Business Development, Community Project Worker, Journalist, Communications, Co-Founder: It’s Our City Bristol
Leisure: Hockey, Surfing, DnB, Trance music.
It’s time for a New Green Deal for the West of England. Without a Just Transition for good jobs and welfare, better transport, access to clean air and water, with a safe and warm place to live, there can be no equal opportunity.
We can use WECA Transport, Adult Skills and Spatial Planning funding to nurture local action, map future needs and protect our nature. I will create collaborative partnerships between local councils and private companies which empowers everyone to prioritise the planet. I have a WE CAN Plan. A WECA Nature, Nurture and Needs Plan with sustainability at heart.
Ian Scott, Independent
The most experienced candidate by far, Councillor 25 years and Local Government Policy Officer 12 years South Gloucestershire and Bristol.
Ian Scott – Independent Candidate Speaking Truth to Power!
Give us our money back! We are Being Short Changed by the Government.
The West of England is a Net Contributor to the British Economy but is not in the first tranche of Integrated Funding?
Like West Yorkshire is! West Yorkshire or West of England?
National Political Party or Local Independent?
I voted to protect the Green Belt in 2012 and 2025.
I have been a long term campaigner for a new Frenchay Community Hospital and an Urgent Treatment Centre with Minor Injuries provision as promised by a former Government in 2008.
Steve Smith, Conservative
Proven record of campaigning for, and with, local people across the region to defend the Green Belt and support motorists.
End the war on the motorist, including scrapping plans for a Keynsham A4 bus lane between Bath and Bristol.
Vetoing wasting your regional money from being spent on closing Park Street.
Sort out our bus services, bringing an end to the service cuts, instead begin growing the network again and keeping fares down.
Expand the rail network, opening five new stations in two years, including Brabazon, Charfield & Henbury, progress another three and increase existing services.
Champion the Green Belt, continuing to support local Green Belt campaigners and promote a much more ambitious ‘brownfield first’ plan to build more homes.
Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm on Thursday, May 1