Last week, Business West’s Bristol Initiative hosted a Hustings for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority election, bringing together candidates from the four major political parties that have been announced. Held at the office of Initiative Member Burges Salmon in Bristol, our event provided a platform for business leaders to hear directly from the candidates about their plans to drive economic growth, address regional challenges, and elevate the West of England’s profile on the national and international stage.
The Hustings featured Steve Smith (Conservative), Helen Godwin (Labour), Oli Henman (Liberal Democrats), and Mary Page (Green Party), each presenting their vision for the region. The discussion, chaired by Andrew Carter, CEO of the Centre for Cities, focused on key themes such as economic growth, housing, transport, skills, and the region’s role in the transition to a net-zero economy.
Incoming President
In his video address, Ed Rowberry emphasised the importance of business as a force for good in driving inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the need for a strong collective voice from the business community to support the incoming Metro Mayor, who must effectively tell the region’s story, collaborate across sectors, and advocate for business amidst challenges such as rising costs and skills shortages. Ed also outlined his role in chairing the Bristol Advisory Committee, which will focus on priorities like placemaking, skills, transport, and tackling deprivation to create a prosperous and thriving region.
A Region of Opportunity and Challenge
Our chair, Andrew, began the hustings discussion by emphasising the significant opportunities facing the West of England, from devolution to investment in green energy and infrastructure. However, he also highlighted the challenges, including the need for stronger collaboration and a clearer regional narrative to ensure the region does not fall behind others.
Candidate Visions: A Snapshot
Helen Godwin from the Labour Party positioned herself as a candidate with a proven track record of delivery, both in the private sector and in local government. She stressed the importance of building strong relationships with a Labour government to secure investment and prioritise the region’s needs. Godwin also emphasised the need for a coherent regional strategy, particularly in housing and transport, and pledged to address the skills gap by replicating initiatives like the Manchester Baccalaureate to align education with local growth sectors.
Oli Henman from the Liberal Democrats focused on his experience as a collaborator and connector, drawing on his work with the UN and local authorities. He outlined a vision for a greener, fairer region, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy and mass rapid transit. Henman also highlighted the need to rebuild trust and drive opportunities through better collaboration between local authorities and businesses.
Mary Page from the Green Party championed a “New Green Deal” for the region, emphasising the economic benefits and urgent need to tackle the climate emergency. She called for greater investment in green energy, sustainable housing, and franchised bus services to improve connectivity. Page also stressed the importance of community-led planning and addressing barriers to recruitment and training in key sectors like construction.
Steve Smith of the Conservative Party argued that the region’s economic growth should be the top priority, with everything else flowing from that. He pledged to work closely with businesses to ensure the Mayoral Combined Authority delivers on its potential, including creating a strategic advisory board and an investment board to guide decision-making. Smith also highlighted the need to power up brownfield development and address the skills gap in construction.
Key Themes: Housing, Transport, and Skills
Housing emerged as a critical issue, with all candidates agreeing on the need to build more homes. Steve Smith and Oli Henman both emphasised the importance of brownfield development, while Mary Page called for a community-led approach to planning. Helen Godwin advocated for a regional housing strategy and better integration of transport and housing planning.
On transport, the candidates agreed on the need for improved connectivity, with Henman and Page both supporting bus franchising to restore routes and improve services. Godwin highlighted the potential of the Portishead rail line to unlock housing and economic growth, while Smith stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure that attracts private sector investment.
The skills gap, particularly in construction and green industries, was another recurring theme. Godwin and Henman both proposed initiatives to align education and training with local growth sectors, while Page called for greater support for apprenticeships and small businesses. Smith emphasised the need for a more coherent approach to skills development across the region.
Raising the Region’s Profile
A key question from our chair Andrew Carter focused on how the candidates would raise the West of England’s profile in Westminster and Whitehall. Oli Henman pointed to his experience at the UN and his ability to build strong relationships with local authorities. Steve Smith proposed creating a specialist unit within the Mayoral Combined Authority to own and sell the region’s narrative, while Helen Godwin highlighted the advantages of having a Labour Mayor working with a Labour government. Mary Page stressed the importance of storytelling and unlocking the region’s potential through better transport and investment.
Agreement all around
All candidates agreed that it was necessary to bring North Somerset into the West of England Combined Authority. All four noted they had already spoken to North Somerset leadership, and were looking to make bringing them in one of their top priorities upon taking office.
This was notably the only issue that all four candidates had the same policy and priority for.
Net Zero and the Green Economy
The transition to a net-zero economy was another hot topic. Mary Page and Oli Henman both emphasised the economic opportunities of green energy and the need to engage communities in the transition. Steve Smith, however, said that his primary focus would be on growing the economy, with net-zero goals pursued in tandem. Helen Godwin highlighted the potential for the region to become a leader in green skills and jobs, particularly through initiatives like the proposed Green Skills Academy in Lawrence Weston.
Closing Statements: A Call to Collaboration
In their closing remarks, the candidates reiterated their commitment to collaboration and delivery. Steve Smith emphasised the need to grow the regional economy, while Mary Page called for a focus on sustainability and community-led planning. Oli Henman pledged to be a “convener, connector, and catalyst” for the region, and Helen Godwin promised to elevate the region’s standing with government and investors.
A Clear Call to Action
The event concluded with a strong call to action from Andrew Carter, urging business leaders to engage with the election and hold the future mayor to account. With the West of England facing both significant opportunities and challenges, the next Metro Mayor will play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future. As the candidates made clear, collaboration between business, government, and communities will be key to unlocking the region’s full potential.
The election for the West of England Metro Mayor takes place on the 1st of May 2025. Business leaders and residents alike will be watching closely to see who can deliver on the promises made at this hustings and lead the region to a brighter, more prosperous future.
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