News / Politics
Bristol Labour leader Tom Renhard announces metro mayor bid
Bristol’s Labour leader Tom Renhard has called himself “a true champion for all of our region” as he announced his intention of becoming Labour’s candidate for the metro mayor election in May 2025.
A vacancy has arisen due to the current West of England mayor, Dan Norris, being unable to stand for a second term due to also now being an MP.
Addressing Labour members on his official website, Renhard writes that he is “not your typical candidate” and promises “to do politics differently – not top down – and bring people in, like I have for years”.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol24/7 understands that Renhard could be up against at least two former cabinet colleagues who also want to become Labour’s official candidate, with former Tory mayoral candidate Samuel Williams hoping to be the official Conservative challenger.
The first mayor of the West of England was a former Conservative councillor for Winterbourne, Tim Bowles, from 2017 to 2021; with Norris winning for Labour in 2021.
Renhard, who has represented Horfield since 2021, had the housing portfolio in Marvin Rees’ cabinet.
He has a background as a housing campaigner and was a senior member of Acorn before an acrimonious falling out with the organisation, even being branded a “traitor” as his membership was terminated.
Renhard has also previously shown ambitions away from City Hall, making it onto Labour’s shortlist of MP candidates for Gloucester, a seat which Labour gained in July.
At the recent Labour Party conference, Renhard appeared on a panel asking how should Labour respond to the growing threat of the Green Party.
Could a new ferry service one day connect Lloyds Amphitheatre to the M Shed? – photo: Tom Renhard
Renhard said: “Having lived and studied at UWE in South Gloucestershire, worked in the heart of Bath and as a Labour councillor in Bristol, I am a true champion for all of our region.
“An experienced local leader and convener, mental health charity founder, housing campaigner and former cabinet member, I have a proven track record of building movements to listen and deliver change for and with people across our communities.
“As a keen cooperator, I believe in championing community wealth building and putting power in the hands of local people to deliver change and will seek to stand as a Labour and Co-operative mayor so that we can put community ownership at the heart of what we do.
“I’m standing for mayor because every person in our region deserves the chance to thrive.
“Truly affordable homes, available for people locally, access to nature, the health services and transport we need alongside housing, new train stations, buses under public control and investment in communities and good jobs.
“We have talent across the region who have ideas to make people, places and nature thrive.
“Let’s empower, let’s join up our public transport system and let’s make sure everyone has the opportunity to access the skills, resources and good jobs needed to succeed.”
Renhard has already got endorsements from Labour councillors in Bristol including Katja Hornchen, Tim Rippington and Zoe Peat, with Labour members due to vote for their new WECA mayor candidate in November.
Main photo: Tom Renhard
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
