News / Politics
Helen Godwin: ‘I’ll be a mayor who gets things done’
“I’m a West Country girl through and through,” said Helen Godwin, newly elected mayor of the West of England, in her victory speech shortly after 4.30am on Friday morning.
“Spending the past six months getting to know our region even better has been an enormous privilege and has only reconfirmed how much I love this place, and how proud I now am to represent the West Country, both nationally and internationally.”
Godwin, who placed strong emphasis on transport and infrastructure during her campaign, secured victory with 51,197 votes with a vote share of 25 per cent following a 30 per cent turnout.
is needed now More than ever
However, the biggest surprise of the night was the strong showing from Reform UK’s Arron Banks, who finished second, 5,945 behind Godwin after a particularly strong showing in South Glos and in areas of Bristol including Avonmouth, Lawrence Weston and Lockleaze.
Pollsters had predicted a tight contest between Green Party candidate Mary Page and Godwin, with many expecting a result decided by the “barest of margins”.
However, Page finished third, receiving 41,094 votes and a 20 per cent share.
“It (election results) shows you which way the wind’s blowing,” said Arron Banks on Reform UK’s strong performance – photo: Milan Perera
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Godwin said: “We’re going to focus on buses – that was the number one issue raised with us during the election. We’ll also focus on our rail network, ensuring we have a strong and reliable secondary public transport system that people can actually use.
“We’ll be reviewing how and where we build homes, doing what we can to ease the housing crisis—while making sure those homes are properly connected, with access to schools, GP surgeries, and other essential services.”
On supporting young people in the region, Godwin added: “We’re going to create clear pathways into work for our young people, so they can see what their future could look like – and understand how to get there.”
Mary Page, Green mayoral candidate for West of England with councillor Ani Stafford-Townsend – photo: Milan Perera
Banks warned the Labour Party that the result is “not something to celebrate”. He also expressed delight at having eclipsed the Greens in what he described as their “heartland”.
Banks told Bristol24/7: “It shows you which way the wind’s blowing. If I were the Labour Party, I’d be distraught with this result, not pleased. Yes, they’re happy they won, but they clung on by their fingertips, with a very small margin.
“And also, we beat the Greens. I mean, Bristol is meant to be the heartland of the Greens. And we beat them. So we’ve got to be pretty happy about that.”
Helen Godwin arrived at Oasis Academy in Brislington with Hayley Jackson, Labour’s regional communications officer for the South West – photo: Milan Perera
Godwin, the former councillor for Southmead will now oversee more than £1.15bn in funding for the region.
She will formally take office next week, with her first official engagements expected to focus on transport infrastructure and investment opportunities.
Godwin’s administration will focus on five headline pledges:
- Working with the Labour government to unlock funding for regional development
- Creating a reliable and consistent bus transport network with one ticket and one timetable
- Opening more railway stations to improve connectivity, including Portishead and Filton North
- Building affordable homes in the right places with essential services
- Linking education and industry to make the West of England the home of new green jobs
Godwin added: “Success isn’t about working alone. It’s about bringing the right people together.
“I’ll use my proven track record of collaboration and strong government connections to put our region on the map.”
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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