Tories’ pick for mayor defends his track record after criticism

THE Conservative candidate in the election battle to become West Yorkshire’s new mayor has hit back at accusations that he is not experienced enough to take on such a powerful political role.

Matt Robinson has been selected by Tory members to be their pick to become Yorkshire’s newest metro mayor in an election set to be held on May 6.

The Conservatives have already faced accusations of not taking the election fight as seriously as other areas by not putting up a bigger name, as well as criticism for waiting until three months after Labour had announced its candidate.

But Mr Robinson, who has been a councillor in Leeds for 11 years, said his experience of local government would be a solid foundation to take on the role of West Yorkshire’s mayor.

He said: “You’re not going to hear me doing down the council’s role. If we don’t value local government and champion it in the North, you’ll never improve it.

“With 11 years of local government experience, I’ve been used to holding administrations to account, I’ve been used to being held to account for millions of pounds worth of budgets.”

Local Government Minister Luke Hall signed an order in January which brought into law a historic devolution deal for West Yorkshire.

The deal paves the way for the creation of the first ever elected mayor for the county, who will oversee an annual budget of £38m, as well as being given new powers relating to transport, education, housing and regeneration.

The new Mayoral Combined Authority will have access to more than £1.1bn to invest into the region, and the new mayor will also become West Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner.

Mr Robinson said his successful pitch to Conservative Party members had centred on the recovery from coronavirus, and he admitted that the conversation was very different from what it would have been had the election for the new mayor been held last year.

He also stressed it was important not to have too much focus on Leeds, and pledged to represent the interests of the whole of West Yorkshire.

Mr Robinson said: “What we need to make sure is that we have somebody who has a vision for where they want to take West Yorkshire, somebody who can combine local government experience with a plan of working with Westminster.”

While his Labour rival, Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, is seen as the bookies’ favourite in the race to become West Yorkshire’s new mayor, Mr Robinson was adamant that he could still win the election.

He said: “The only poll that is going to matter is going to be polling day, and I intend to fight for every single vote across West Yorkshire.”

I intend to fight for every single vote across West Yorkshire. Leeds councillor Matt Robinson.