Chamber urges voters to decide in today’s vital Mayoral poll
Business leaders in Greater Birmingham today urged people across the West Midlands to cast their votes in the crucial Mayoral election.
Current Mayor Andy Street is defending his seat in a bid to win a third term against a string of rivals including Labour counterpart Richard Parker and Sunny Virk from the Liberal Democrats.
In the constituent local authorities of the West Midlands Combined Authority - Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton - voters will have the opportunity to elect the Mayor of the West Midlands.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which encompasses the metropolitan boroughs of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton was established in 2016 following an initial 'devolution deal' agreed between the UK government and the metropolitan areas.
These seven local authorities are now constituent members of the Combined Authority, and further devolution deals have been reached between the government and WMCA in 2017 and most recently 2023.
A further 10 neighbouring local authorities are non-constituent members, with fewer voting rights on WMCA decisions.
As a combined authority, the WMCA has the ability to take various collective decisions and exercise delegated functions across council boundaries. These are focussed on economic functions, including transport, adult skills, infrastructure, housing and business support.
Following recent changes, this will be a 'first past the post' election and individuals will need to present valid identification to vote.
Candidates for the May 2024 Mayoral Election are (in alphabetical order by surname):
- Siobhan Harper-Nunes, Green Party
- Richard Parker, Labour
- Andy Street, Conservative (incumbent)
- Sunny Virk, Liberal Democrat
- Elaine Williams, Reform UK
- Akhmed Yakoob, Independent
Raj Kandola (pictured), director of external affairs at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said: "We encourage all those who are eligible to exercise their right to vote in today's local elections.
"We look forward to working with the successful candidates in due course, including the Mayor of the West Midlands, to implement the recommendations of the Business Commission West Midlands in order to build on the strengths of the region, champion investment and tackle the barriers that impede growth."
Find out more about the West Midlands Mayoral election.
Two of the candidates, Andy Street and Richard Parker, attended the launch of the BCWM Roadmap for Growth on 19 March.
Click here to read more about Andy Street's priorities for the region.
Click here to read more about Richard Parker's priorities for the region.
Find out more about the Business Commission West Midlands Roadmap for Business Growth.
