News / Metro Mayor Elections 2021
Clifton councillor to run as Green metro mayor candidate
Jerome Thomas is throwing his hat into the ring as the Green Party candidate for the West of England metro mayoral elections, that are due (for now) to take place in May.
Currently a councillor for Clifton, the manager and entrepreneur will stand against two former MPs and a Tory challenger, who recently pulled out of the Bristol mayoral race to run in the regional contest instead.
Unsurprisingly, Thomas will be running on a ticket of green jobs, affordable, warm homes and low carbon transport as he becomes the fourth person to declare his candidacy in a field that is currently all-male.
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He has confirmed that he won’t be running in the Bristol City Council elections, with Katy Grant replacing him to run as the second Green candidate in the Clifton ward, alongside Paula O’Rourke.
Jerome Thomas, pictured with fellow Bristol Green Party councillors, won’t be running as a councillor in May – photo courtesy of Bristol Green Party
Announcing his candidacy, Thomas said: “Across the country, metro mayors have important responsibilities for jobs, homes and transport. Good implementation of green policies in these areas is key to our future health and prosperity.
“As we emerge from Covid and face the challenge of climate change, the green policies that were once considered impractical, are now mainstream and being taken seriously around the world.
“I am standing as the West of England Green Party metro mayor candidate because our region needs well paid green jobs, affordable warm homes, and low carbon green transport to tackle congestion.
“I believe, working with people across the region, that these policies can be practical and achievable without costing the earth.”
The Green candidate will be up against former Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams, former Labour MP Dan Norris and recently-announced Tory candidate Samuel Williams.
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Read more: Former Labour MP to stand for West of England mayor
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The incumbent metro mayor, Conservative Tim Bowles, will stand down after one term.
People in Bristol are due to go to the polls in May to vote on council and mayoral elections, as well as the police and crime commissioner for Avon & Somerset and head of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
Following speculation the elections could be postponed, the Cabinet Office recently told the Local Democracy Reporting service that the plan is for them to go ahead but that the matter “will be kept under review”.
Main photo courtesy of Bristol Green Party
Read more: ‘Bristol’s local elections in May need to take place’
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