Lib Dems line up former CBI boss to run for region’s mayor
THE Liberal Democrat have chosen a leading Birmingham businesswoman as candidate to become the first ever West Midlands Mayor in next year’s election.
Former regional director of the CBI in the West Midlands Beverley Nielsen was chief executive of the region’s tourist board and has been a director of Birmingham City University for the past decade.
The announcement from the Lib Dems means the West Midlands looks set for an interesting contest in the election on May 4, 2017, with a number of heavy hitters taking part.
Labour has chosen former government minister Sion Simon to be its can- didate, while the Conservative Party appears set to select John Lewis Managing Director Andy Street, although an official announcement has not yet been made.
Voters in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Coventry, Solihull and Wolverhampton will elect a mayor to take charge of transport and strategic planning.
The mayor will also chair the new West Midlands Combined Authority, which will take on responsibility for funding of £36.5 million a year over 30 years to spend in infrastructure such as better roads or rail links, and more.
Ms Nielsen said that as mayor she would fight for the West Midlands to get a fairer share of resources from national government.
And she said her background in industry and education made her right for the job.
She said: “Everywhere I go, in whatever sphere I’m working, I find the originality, ingenuity, imagination and sheer hard work that is the hallmark of a successful region. That make us simply the best.
“But too often I see the region held back and resources.”
She added: “I’ve worked with business, small and large, education and training. Our history in design, manufacturing and education should give us the confidence and self belief to power us, working together, to an even greater future.”
One of her priorities as mayor would be to secure funding for housing and infrastructure, she said.
“I will be fighting for a fairer share of the national resource for the West Midlands, with a special focus on delivering infrastructure and housing.
“With a strong Metro Mayor and a strong support team, we can get on with what we really can achieve and get our Midlands Engine firing on all cylinders.”
Local Lib Dems welcomed the announcement. Jon Hunt, leader of the Lib Dem group on Birmingham City Council, said: “Beverley has a distinguished record of backing business and job-creation in the West Midlands.”
The mayor will initially be elected for three years, with the next election after 2017 due in 2020, and will serve fouryear terms after that.
Too often I see the region held back and starved of investment and resources
starved of investment and
Beverley Nielsen