News / Politics
Dan Norris justifies being an MP and metro mayor
After defeating Tory grandee Jacob Rees-Mogg at the general election, Dan Norris says he will serve both as an MP for North East Somerset & Hanham and metro mayor concurrently.
The politician shrugged off the suggestion of stepping down from his role as leader of West of England Combined Authority, calling a mayoral by-election “nonsensical” and “hugely costly”.
Norris will now be paid a yearly salary of £91,346 for being an MP on top of his metro mayor salary of £87,000.
He confirmed his commitments to both portfolios during an interview with ITV when he met new prime minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday.
Norris said he will serve as the metro mayor at least until May 2025.
Dan Norris (right) unseated the Tory incumbent Jacob Rees-Mogg in North East Somerset & Hanham – photo: Milan Perera
“So, until at least next May, I’ll do both jobs,” said Norris.
“And that makes sense, because to call the by-election when you’ve got an electorate of about a million people is a hugely expensive thing.
“Only to have it a few months later will be nonsensical.
“Also, allow me to work out how I can do both jobs and whether that’s possible in the longer term.”
He went on: “And obviously I’ll be taking soundings, but there’s lots of precedent in politics.
“You know, many MPs are ministers, for example. I’ve done that myself. And that’s very similar to being a regional mayor.
“So, I think it’s doable, but I’m not gonna make a decision now.”
Dan Norris now has two major political jobs – photo: WECA
Starmer met with 11 mayors across the country including Norris, Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan.
About the meeting, Norris said: “The prime minister meeting regional mayors is a positive example of the new government hitting the ground running.
“I have been delivering on skills, the environment and transport for the last four years, including birthday buses to get more residents to use the bus, and look forward to working with a Labour government with the same priorities.”
Norris was MP for Wansdyke between 1997 to 2010 but lost out to Rees-Mogg in the 2010 general election in the newly formed seat of North East Somerset.
Main photo: ITV
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