Five key votes Metro mayors and crucial by-election
HARTLEPOOL BY-ELECTION
The Tories have never won Hartlepool, which has remained Labour since its creation in 1974 yet is now the party’s most vulnerable seat. Jill Mortimer, a North Yorkshire farmer, is the Tory candidate. The by-election was triggered after Mike Hill, the former Labour MP, stood down following sexual harassment allegations. Hartlepool will also be voting for its council, now a coalition between independents and Tories.
TEES VALLEY MAYOR
A former Labour heartland that includes Middlesbrough and Stockton-ontees, the Tories are hoping to retain the mayoralty through their candidate, Ben Houchen, 34, below. Mr Houchen is seeking reelection after serving one term since 2017. He is up against Labour’s Jessie Joe Jacobs, a charity director.
WEST MIDLANDS MAYOR
It was also in 2017 that Andy Street, a former chief executive of John Lewis, became the West Midlands mayor. He won the seat against the odds when Labour dominated four of the seven local councils, and now Mr Street is running for a second time to keep the seat blue. His opponent is Liam Byrne, a former Cabinet minister under Gordon Brown. A recent poll gave Mr Street a nine-point lead over Mr Byrne.
LONDON MAYOR Sadiq Khan, the Labour incumbent, is likely to be re-elected for a second term. The former MP is up against the Tory candidate Shaun Bailey, a former adviser to David Cameron, while other names on the ballot include the actor Lawrence Fox, Piers Corbyn, brother of Jeremy, and Count Binface, below.
WEST YORKSHIRE MAYOR
West Yorkshire will tomorrow elect its first regional mayor in what looks like a two-horse race between Labour and the Tories. Tracy Brabin, a former actress and MP for Batley and Spen, is standing for Labour. She is up against the Tories’ Matt Robinson, a local councillor in Leeds. If Ms Brabin wins, it is likely a by-election will be called in her parliamentary seat – potentially giving Labour another headache.