North Lincolnshire Council’s leader is the latest addition to the runners and riders for the new Greater Lincolnshire Mayor job.
A Mayor is being created as part of the devolution deal for the area. The electorate will choose the first Mayor on May 1, 2025.
Cllr Rob Waltham will fly the flag for the Conservatives. He came top earlier this month out of five men to be the Conservative candidate. There are now three candidates announced for the mayoral job.
Who is standing for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor?
Labour, the Conservatives and Reform are the parties who have so far announced their candidate. Cllr Rob Waltham has been North Lincolnshire Council leader since 2011 and helped spearhead the push for a devolution deal in the first place.
“Having been born and grown up in Greater Lincolnshire, I understand the unique blend of strengths and opportunities which define our region,” he said. “If elected mayor, Greater Lincolnshire will embrace emerging sectors such as renewable energy, carbon capture, advanced manufacturing, innovations in farming and green jobs. By fostering strong relationships between government, businesses and local universities, we can turbocharge business growth and ensure our region is at the forefront of innovation.
“And my campaign will show people I am the best person to become Greater Lincolnshire’s first mayor,” he added. Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers said he and Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh took part in the selection process and would be fully supporting Cllr Waltham’s candidacy.
“Rob has a proven record as council leader and has the experience to attract investment, produce a comprehensive transport plan, work with public and private sectors to deliver a skilled workforce for both the rural and industrial parts of the county and to create the partnerships required to deliver.”
(Image: Labour Party)
Standing for Labour is Jason Stockwood. He grew up in Grimsby, raised by his single mother. The businessman is best known to Grimbarians for being the co-owner of Grimsby Town FC since 2021, though he has stepped away from a board role at the club until the election’s outcome.
“I have the vision and experience from the private sector and community work to turn devolution into real progress that reflects the care and fairness our communities deserve,” he stated when his candidacy was announced. He has said on social media he looks forward to “making the case for an independently minded business man and not a politician to be elected”.
Completing the trio of announced Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidates is Dame Andrea Jenkyns for Reform UK. She was a former Tory MP, but defected to the Nigel Farage-led party in November.
Dame Andrea was an MP in Yorkshire for nine years, losing her seat in July. Before her time in Parliament, she was a Conservative councillor on Lincolnshire County Council up to 2013.
“Everybody knows me as a Yorkshire lass, but I have actually had a footprint since childhood in Greater Lincolnshire,” Dame Andrea said when her candidacy was announced. She went to primary school in North Lincolnshire and graduated from the University of Lincoln.
“To the people of Greater Lincolnshire, in me you have someone who will fight for you. I always do what is right and I always take the common sense approach.” Her defection was interacted with by X and Tesla owner Elon Musk. An X account named ‘Inevitable West’ posted the news of Dame Andrea’s defection to Reform and stated “Reform will win the next election”. Musk responded with “Yes”.
Dame Andrea has pledged to bring back Lincoln Christmas Market in 2025 if elected Mayor. The Labour-run city council cancelled the event in 2023, with overcrowding concerns cited.
(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
North Lincolnshire Labour criticises devolution deal
Days before Cllr Waltham was chosen as the Conservative candidate, North Lincolnshire Council’s full council discussed the future Greater Lincolnshire combined authority and mayoralty.
“I don’t want the hierarchy of my party saying I’m critical of them, but I am,” said Labour opposition group leader Cllr Len Foster to laughter. He reiterated the local party’s opposition to the devolution deal. “We believe that it was done by the government because it was an easy win, most of the stuff was in place to roll through without question.”
He said it was “a loss for North Lincolnshire as far as we’re concerned”. Cllr Waltham defended the devolution deal and talked up the prospects of it being as successful as mayoralties in Manchester and Leeds, with more jobs to be created, some in transport and infrastructure. On announced candidates and ex-MPs standing, he said: “There’s a point to be made about people who’ve lost their job just wanting a job.”
Three of the four other applicants to be the Conservative mayoral candidate were defeated ex-MPs.
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Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
