Mansfield MP declares bid to become East Midlands mayor

Conservative MP and leader of Nottinghamshire County Council Ben Bradley has launched a bid to become the first mayor of the East Midlands.

A mayoral role is intended to form part of a new devolution package for the region, with an election in May 2024.

What are his policies?

He used his pitch for the job to hit out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan and set out his opposition to a ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) for his region.

He wrote in the Telegraph.: "I will never make you pay more to drive to work. If elected I will offer freedom and choice, not restrictions and costs."

"Devolution offers so much potential but what we certainly don't need is devolution that creates more bureaucracy and higher bills for taxpayers.

"Instead we need a system that brings decisions right up close to local people, because they know better than anyone in Whitehall how to improve their communities."

He also hit out at what he said was a shift "leftwards" in the country since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Who else is running?

Five people have declared their candidacy for Labour so far:

• Suqie Banwait- Born in Belper, Derbyshire. Previously ran as a Labour candidate for Derbyshire Dales District Council for the Matlock and East Tansly ward of Derby.

• John Hess- former BBC journalist, former political editor for the BBC's East Midlands today.

• Paddy Tipping- former Member of Parliament for Sherwood (1992–2010) and Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (2012–21).

• Claire Ward, former Member of Parliament for Watford (1996–2010) and government minister.

• Adele Williams, Nottingham City councillor.

Before announcing a shortlist, The Labour Party says it will now assess each candidate to decide whether they are suitable for the role.