List of candidates in mayoral election confirmed
Six candidates have appeared at the West of England Combined Authority HQ in Bristol
Last updated 3rd Apr 2025
The race to be elected the next Metro Mayor for the West of England has kicked off today.
All six candidates for the role appeared together at the West of England Combined Authority headquarters in Bristol, as campaigning kicks off for the election on Thursday May 1.
The mayor is responsible for improving transport across the region and attracting and delivering major investment — and the role is only set to become more powerful under the Labour government’s “English Devolution” plans.
Current Labour mayor Dan Norris was elected in 2021 but since the 2024 general election he has also been the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham. Under Labour Party policy, he is not running for re-election as mayor.
The full list of candidates is:
Arron Banks (Reform UK)
Helen Godwin (Labour)
Oli Henman (Liberal Democrat)
Mary Page (Green)
Ian Scott (Independent)
Steve Smith (Conservative)
A spokesperson for the West of England Combined Authority said: “Registered voters across the region will have the opportunity to elect the next West of England Combined Authority Mayor in four weeks’ time on 1 May 2025, with six candidates to choose from.
“The combined authority plays a key role in the West of England, including areas such as jobs and growth, transport, skills, the environment, planning and housing, and business support. It’s important that anyone who wants their say in the future of the region is registered to vote by 11 April to make your vote count in the election on 1 May.”
The spokesperson added: “The need to present ID as part of the voting process is still relatively new and so we are looking to encourage everyone to remember the need to bring ID with you to vote, and to signpost people to where they can learn more about what forms of ID are accepted. If you are unsure that you have the right form of ID, please go online to check today: www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.”