News / Metro Mayor Elections 2021
Former Labour MP to stand for West of England mayor
With the slogan “rooted, radical, ready”, Labour’s Dan Norris is set to challenge the Conservative incumbent in May’s West of England mayoral elections.
The former MP for Wansdyke (now North East Somerset) and Bristol City supporter secured victory over Bristol City Council cabinet member Helen Godwin in a ballot of local party members.
A Pensford resident who went to school with JK Rowling, Norris says that, if elected, he will be a mayor “who listens and brings people together” in these uncertain times, accusing Tory rival and incumbent regional mayor Tim Bowles of being “invisible”.
is needed now More than ever
Godwin, who is a councillor for Southmead, gained the backing of a number of Bristol Labour heavyweights, including mayor Marvin Rees, deputy mayors Asher Craig and Craig Cheney, and colleagues on the council and cabinet.
But it is Norris who won the vote and now joins Bowles and Lib Dem candidate Stephen Williams – another former MP – in a so-far all-male lineup for the role of metro mayor, covering Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Following the announcement on Monday, he thanked all Labour members who supported him, saying: “In May, we will face the first-ever covid election, in truly uncertain times.
“I know people across the West of England feel let down by the Conservatives and are worried about their health, their education, and their livelihoods. These are tough times for local families.
“We need strong leadership to build a better future for everyone in our region. Other mayors across the country are making their voices heard, but we hear nothing from the invisible Tory metro mayor. I will change that.
“I will be a mayor who listens and brings people together. I love this part of the world and I want to make it the best it can be.
“Together we can tackle the climate emergency, bring high skilled jobs to our region, end the shame of homelessness and build back better from the crisis we face.”
Dan Norris says he will be a mayor who listens – photo from Dan Norris campaign website
Norris was MP for Wansdyke between 1997 and 2010, when he was defeated by Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg. He was also a councillor on Bristol City Council and the now-disbanded Avon County Council.
In 2018, the former MP spoke out about antisemitism in the Labour Party in a letter published in the Bristol Post.
Norris describes himself as being “from a poor, coal-mining family” and has worked as a scaffolder’s assistant, factory worker and teacher. He trained with the NSPCC to become a child protection officer in the West of England, describing it as “the toughest job he has ever had”.
The former MP pledges to “bring new ideas to create good jobs, improve skills, build affordable homes, tackle homelessness, reduce animal cruelty in food production and tackle the climate crisis”.
The West of England mayor elections take place on May 6 2021.
Main photo taken from Dan Norris’ Twitter profile
Read more: Former MP to stand for West of England mayor
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