News / Politics
Labour’s Helen Godwin elected new West of England mayor
Helen Godwin is the new mayor of the West of England after beating Reform into second place with the Greens in third.
The former Labour councillor for Southmead and cabinet member under former Bristol mayor Marvin Rees won the race to be the region’s next mayor, with Reform’s Arron Banks falling short by just fewer than 6,000 votes.
Ecstatic Labour Party supporters applauded as results were announced on early Friday morning at Oasis Academy in Brislington.
Turnout across the West of England Combined Authority area – which comprises the local councils of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Glos – was 30 per cent.
Speaking soon after the results were announced, Godwin thanked fellow party members, volunteers, her family and fellow candidates for running in what she said was for “the most part a friendly and respectful campaign”.
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Here are the full results:
- Helen Godwin (Labour) – 51,197 (25%)
- Arron Banks (Reform) – 45,252 (22.1%)
- Mary Page (Green) – 41,094 (20%)
- Steve Smith (Conservatives) – 34,092 (16.6%)
- Oli Henman (Lib Dems) – 28,711 (14%)
- Ian Scott (independent) – 4,682 (2.3%)
Bristol-born Godwin grew up in Begbrook, went to school at Cotham and has family across parts of the West Country.
Speaking after her victory, she said: “This region is home. I’m a West Country girl through and through, and spending the past six months getting to know our region even better has been such a privilege and reconfirmed how much I love this place.
“My pledge to you is simple: I will be the mayor that gets things done.
“You have told me to prioritise transport – we will build a reliable and consistent transport network.
“I will build a future for our children and grandchildren, and make sure that they have the jobs they deserve.”
Helen Godwin arrives at the count in Brislington on Friday morning – photo: Karen Johnson
Tweeting after the result was declared, Banks said: “Beating the Greens into third place and only finishing 5,000 behind Labour is an epic result for Reform!
“If we can do this in Bristol we can do it anyway (sic).
“What this result shows if you vote Tory you get Labour! Thanks to my home voters in South Gloucestershire who gave me a 7,000 majority.”
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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