‘Business must now work with mayor to prove that democracy can work’

For many people, this West of England mayoral election passed them by.

Those that decided not to use their vote were probably busy getting on with their daily lives, some of them likely have been turned off politics, or don’t like the idea of a mayor in general.

Or perhaps, like Brenda from Bristol once famously said, they simply thought “You’re joking, not another one.”

The 30 per cent of the population that did vote demonstrated how split politics is now, with the era of two-party politics fading.

All five parties had a good showing relatively speaking, with Labour’s Helen Godwin winning the election with almost 25 per cent of the available vote.

Regardless of the voter turnout levels, the result in this election is binary.

Helen as someone who demonstrates integrity, understands and is genuinely passionate about our region, now has the mandate from government and the electorate to be our lead on devolution of potential funding and additional powers for the West of England.

Business must now work with Helen to prove that democracy can work and create good outcomes for local people through productive growth for the West of England.

Ed was appointed president for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative in February 2025 – photo: First Avenue

We are at a fragile time economically, with the world economy going through seismic shifts in trading patterns and the bond and equity markets dancing around politicians’ every move.

We can’t control this as a region and there is no doubt both opportunity and risk to be found as the world changes.

What we can do is help to set a firm course for the West of England in these choppy waters through effective collaboration and confident narrative.

To achieve this, business can collectively play its role alongside Helen and regional government by contributing to and championing the region’s Local Growth Plan.

Although this might sound like a dry and bureaucratic process, it will set the framework to enable better transport, better housing, better skills and job opportunities within the context of a regional economic growth plan.

This plan will connect us to both central government’s devolution agenda and inward investment.

We have a joined-up voice for business in the form of Business West and as the new president of the Bristol Chamber and Initiative, I will play my part in ensuring that business continues to work hand-in-hand with the mayoral combined authority to deliver the best outcomes for the region.

By working ‘place first’, not only can we demonstrate to local people that devolution is a democratic right worth fighting for, we will also create the conditions for business to thrive here.

Conditions where staff have access to training, can afford to live and find it easy to get to work, enables them to be productive, generate shareholder value and make the West of England the best place in the UK to live, work and visit.

The role of business can also be to influence positive change, by providing a united voice, collaborating across sectors, political parties and across the wider South West, as part of a well led ambitious vision and long-term plan for the region.

Let’s work together with our new mayor towards getting the recognition, investment and opportunities that other parts of the country like Greater Manchester get.

This is an opinion piece from Ed Rowberry, president of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative and chief executive of Bristol & Bath Regional Capital (BBRC).

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Main photo: Strike Communications

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