A lot of talk about leasehold in the national media today.
Let me be clear.
As Mayor of West Yorkshire I will look extremely unfavourably on any proposed leasehold scheme - unless the leaseholders are given a share of freehold and there is only a peppercorn ground rent ๐ก
In my parliamentary campaign I very deliberately avoided NIMBYism.
People deserve decent, affordable places to live and our country needs to be able to build the infrastructure we require to drive growth and prosperity.
Opposition must be thoughtful.
As people may be aware, Jeremy Lunn, the announced Conservative Candidate for Wakefield & Rothwell, has withdrawn due to ill health.
The local Conservative association has selected me as their new candidate for this wonderful constituency - a place I am proud to call home.
Clearly was not meant to be, but a massive thank you to the tens of thousands of people who put their trust in me to be their next Mayor.
After months of tweeting about public transport and brownfield regeneration, it is now time for a break. Skyscanner awaitsโฆ
๐จThe polls are open๐จ
It has been an honour to meet so many brilliant people from across West Yorkshire in the last weeks and months.
I believe Iโm the person to deliver mass transit, more homes, policing improvements and a better bus system.
Polls close at 10pm โ
Ground rents - that are not of the peppercorn variety - constitute, in my view, textbook rent-seeking behaviour.
Leaseholders in West Yorkshire, who often are young people getting on the housing ladder for the first time, should not be subject to such behaviour ๐
Whilst disappointing that the sun only emerged after Mayoral election campaigning came to a conclusion, thereโs a real joy in having time - and good enough weather - to tidy up my garden and plant some mini-trees.
Iโm incredibly concerned to learn that construction has been halted on the new White Rose station in Leeds, leaving behind a half finished railway station.
The Mayor needs to provide leadership in situations like these. No comment is not good enough.
Great to be out in Baildon today with
@RicHolden
, talking to voters about electing a Mayor of West Yorkshire who has the private sector experience needed to deliver mass transit, brownfield regeneration, world class adult education and police who are there when you need them.
Many years ago, before I started my career in property, I studied a Politics degree.
Thatโs why, as candidate for Mayor, I was especially keen to visit the village of Overton, West Yorkshire.
A fascinating Window into how peopleโs views on the Mayoralty have changed since 2021.
Brownfield schemes in Leeds have been a huge success, delivering regeneration and much needed new homes ๐ก
But land values are much higher in Leeds than most of West Yorkshire, so in our other cities and towns brownfield developments are harder to achieve.
This could help.
๐จNEW from PricedOut and
@ASI
: Boosting Brownfield ๐จ
Weโre calling on
@Jeremy_Hunt
to extend the full expensing regime to brownfield land.
A thread ๐งต
Really good to speak to ITV Calendar yesterday about bus reform in West Yorkshire ๐
We now need to build a brilliant franchised bus system whilst not hurting the poorest in society through tax rises โ
A big thank you to the excellent
@LeedsCC_News
Electoral Services staff for their diligent and professional service today,
@susannabenton
.
I am pleased to say my nomination to stand as Mayor of West Yorkshire has been accepted. Now back to the campaign trail! โ
It has been an amazing pleasure to meet so many incredible voters, business leaders, Councillors, MPs, and many others in West Yorkshire over the last ten weeks.
An entirely unique, occasionally bruising, but always brilliant experience.
Fantastic day of campaigning, with leaflets going out and doors being knocked on across towns and villages in West Yorkshire.
A small plea, and I think I speak for people in all parties when I say this: Please try to avoid buying a door with a low down letterbox. My kneesโฆ
As Mayor of West Yorkshire I will work across the political divide to call for Postcode Address File data to be made more accessible to our great West Yorkshire tech sector, so they can continue to innovate and lead the world โ
Every organisation has challenging people, but Iโve found Conservative associations to be filled with kind, hard working members doing their best in often difficult circumstances.
Pointing the finger at associations might be easy, but it is also incorrect.
'When I told an MP I was finding it quite hard to deal with some of the people in the associations, he replied: 'Yes, they are all mad'.' โ๏ธ Lauren Atkins
Today, we have announced our plans to expand our presence in Leeds. We will expand the Leeds office by at least 500 employees by 2027. The increased office space aims to improve trust and wider understanding of the Bankโs work across the UK.
Read more:
Whilst disappointed that a waterlogged pitch meant the WF derby was postponed, it was a great pleasure to meet with โฆ
@PonteCollsFC
โฉ committee member Charlie this evening to discuss the great work the non-league football family does across West Yorkshire.
Excellent to meet with members of the Hindu community in Wakefield & Rothwell a few days ago. There is much to commend about their Hindu manifesto, especially in areas around education and recognising the great contributions of the Hindu community to the UK
@hindus4dmocracy
A massive pleasure to speak to the West Yorkshire Hong Kong community this lunchtime. I am in absolute awe of the courage and bravery of many people Iโve met today.
Excellent to enjoy some sun whilst campaigning with
@JasonMcCartney
and
@DavidMHeathcote
in lovely Meltham today.
Lots of great conversations with residents about making sure the West
Yorkshire Mayor delivers on issues like housing, transport, policing and adult education โ
Today Iโve had an incredibly concerning meeting, alongside Cllr Alan Lamb, with tenants of Aire Street Workshops - which is threatened with closure - in Leeds.
A full video is coming soon, but Aire Street Workshops is a massive asset for West Yorkshire - home to over 50
NEWS: Today I am launching my plan for a Mayorโs Bursary, where as Mayor of West Yorkshire I will use the devolved adult education budget to fund thousands of adult learners to complete courses in subjects including plumbing, accountancy and welding.
Fantastic to be at the West Yorkshire Mayoral business hustings today, ably hosted by
@gregwrightYP
.
I was heartened that there was broad consensus between the candidates about the importance of delivering housing and mass transit. In West Yorkshire it isnโt whether we should
This is my plan for West Yorkshire.
1) A bus network which works and mass transit under construction
2) A police service which turns up when you need it
3) A world class adult education system, accessible to all
4) Building more houses
When you complete your election nomination papers, thereโs an extra form you can sign to hide your address on the ballot paper.
I really didnโt want to fill in that form - but behaviour like the below is why I felt compelled to.
Turning up at someoneโs house is unacceptable.
๐จ BREAKING: Youth Demand Pay
@Keir_Starmer
a Visit
Whilst 12,000 children in Gaza are slaughtered,
@UKLabour
continue to allow the selling of arms to Israel. We are calling on their humanity.
๐ค We won't stand for this. Donate to help us take action:
Yesterday I raised concerns about the ongoing closure of Bradford Interchangeโs bus station ๐
This is a ridiculous situation, and the Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire needs to explain how her Combined Authority has allowed this to take place.
Really good to pop down to Dewsbury this afternoon to catch up with Conservative Council candidate Sajid Hussain and local businessmen.
As Mayor I will work to make sure good quality growth and economic opportunities come to every part of West Yorkshire โ
Central and Eastern European countries voluntarily chose to join NATO.
Those who promote the argument that NATO expansion provoked Russia might want to ask why those countries were so eager to join.
Great to be out this afternoon in Morley with
@andreajenkyns
supporting two excellent Leeds City Council candidates: Alexander Giles in Morley South and Lalit Suryawanshi in Morley North. Best of luck for next Thursday!
I'm really looking forward to attending the opening ceremony of this very important exhibition next week.
I would encourage people to attend the exhibition at Leeds City Museum whilst it runs between late March and early June.
#HongKongers
๐
#HongKongers
in the
#UK
: A Journey of Hope and Resilience
#ArtExhibition
The Opening Ceremony will be held on 20 April at 12:00 noon, featuring honourable guests as keynote speakers.
Please RSVP to
@HKers_in_Leeds
to secure your place.
More on:
An outbreak of West Yorkshire cross party consensus, having found myself sitting with
@BobBuxtonYorksP
on the train.
Really interesting conversations about how we can best deliver West Yorkshire mass transit.
Yesterday I was on ITV outlining my pledges to:
Change the way we regenerate brownfield sites to deliver more new homes ๐งฑ
Build mass transit ๐
Improve adult education and offer more access to courses โ๏ธ
Make sure the police investigate all serious crimes ๐ฎ
This is an issue not made in the last fourteen years, but the last 80 (at least).
Facing up to the economic reality of the UK outside London - and making the fundamental changes needed to address that reality - is of the utmost importance for everyone in politics.
This is deeply depressing.
But we need to remember the UK is an international outlier when it comes to the economic dominance of its capital city.
That dominance is one of the reasons situations like the below are so acute.
Why canโt the Leeds - Manc economy rival Londonโs?
It was a real pleasure to meet Jeremy Lunn, Conservative Candidate for the new Wakefield and Rothwell Parliamentary Constituency, and discuss with him my plan for West Yorkshire.
As Mayor I will focus on housing, infrastructure, adult education and crime โ
This week I had the privilege of seeing the incredible things Bradford tech company Yeme is doing ๐ฅ๏ธ
But small policy changes could aid the tech sector. Having seen a presentation from
@thomasforth
on this, I know improving access to PAF could help tech businesses grow ๐
Great to be out in a (very cold) Woolley this morning with
@mark4dewsbury
. An absolutely beautiful part of West Yorkshire.
Lots of people really keen to talk about delivering new housing, infrastructure and making sure our police have the tools they need to keep us all safe.
Absolutely excellent turnout in Dewsbury this afternoon, supporting my campaign to be the next Mayor of West Yorkshire and Sajid Hussain for the Dewsbury West ward of Kirklees Council.
A brilliant reception from people across Dewsbury.
Great to host Levelling Up Minister
@JacobYoungMP
in Pontefract Conservative Club last night. A really positive evening topped off with an excellent speech from Jacob.
As Mayor of West Yorkshire Iโll work to make sure every part of our region feels the benefits of devolution โ
Ahead of the West Yorkshire bus franchising decision this week, I wanted to outline my positionโ
The starting point for me is that bus services across West Yorkshire are not good enough. Delays, cancellations and buses just not turning up mean people canโt rely on the bus
I wouldnโt dream of attacking my opponents based on their physical characteristics. You play the ball, not the man (or woman). Really disappointing to see.
'Has he finally realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his mate into number ten, he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint-sized loser?'
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner mocks Rishi Sunak at
#PMQs
Delighted to announce I am the
@Conservatives
candidate for Doncaster Central! I was born in Wheatley and I have been a local councillor for Bessacarr for the last nine years! The new seat has different boundaries so itโs a great opportunity for a fresh start ๐
#Doncasterisgreat
Where the West Midlands has gone, West Yorkshire should follow โ
With a relentless focus on better working with the private sector to unlock funding and investment, as Mayor I will make West Yorkshire the best place in the UK for brownfield regeneration and house building ๐ก
The WM has set the pace for housebuilding in the UK, including:
๐ฏ Building & affordable targets smashed
๐ณ Greenbelt protected
But I want to go further๐๐ป
๐ก Tripling the number of social homes
๐๏ธ Unlocking homes along transport routes
โ๐ป Cracking down on rogue land owners
One of the issues Iโve seen so much in West Yorkshire over the last few weeks is working people in their 20s and 30s who want to develop their careers, but because they have a job they are priced out of further education. My Mayorโs Bursary will change that.
I donโt make a habit of retweeting my Mayoral opponent, but I am pleased Tracy has signed the
#CivilityPledge
. I have also taken that pledge.
The Mayoral election here is about ideas. Sometimes robust, of course, but civil and respectful. That is a good thing for West Yorkshire.
With only days to go before May elections, Iโm taking the
@JoCoxFoundation
โs
#CivilityPledge
. I will run a respectful campaign, promote constructive democratic debate and defend the dignity of others. I hope all other candidates do the same.
#MoreInCommon
Brilliant to meet Calderdale Conservative members, officers and councillors this evening in Halifax โ
As Mayor of West Yorkshire I will make sure West Yorkshire Combined Authority properly invests to ensure all of our towns and villages can thrive ๐
Thereโs trouble a brewingโฆ
New for
@Daily_Express
. ๐๐๐
Labour civil war to erupt over plans to cancel infrastructure projects over 'ยฃ20bn hole'
Now I donโt want to tempt fate, but I enjoyed the placement of this screen at todayโs excellent BBC Yorkshire Mayoral debate, ably hosted by
@BBCJamesVincent
Last year my motorbike was stolen from Wakefield. There was CCTV but I couldnโt even get West Yorkshire Police to attend. That is not good enough.
Thatโs why Iโm happy to sign the
@MAGUKCentral
Fight Motorcycle Theft pledge.
As Mayor of West Yorkshire, I will give West
I would prefer to see an early commitment to a Wakefield district link, but the most important thing is that construction starts on something.
Once spades are in the ground there will be no going back, and it will be much easier to make an argument to grow the network.
Trams are on their way!
Itโs time to have your say.
Help us build a better connected region. Fill in our consultation and tell us what you think about our proposals for phase one of Mass Transit in West Yorkshire โฌ๏ธ
#WYMassTransit
It was really useful to meet representatives of housing associations across West Yorkshire this morning.
As Mayor one of my main focuses will be making sure we build more good quality homes on brownfield sites, for both rent and sale, across our region ๐ก
If you live in Ponte, Cas, Knottingley, Altofts, Darrington, Carleton, Ferrybridge, Airedaleโฆ frankly anywhere in PCK you already know what it will be like if you return the same MP tomorrow: exactly the same as itโs been for the last 3 decades.
Iโm offering a real local choice
This is a campaign I am happy to support. Values like democracy, freedom and territorial integrity are the cornerstone of the relative peace Europe has enjoyed since 1945, and especially post the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. Russian aggression must not be rewarded.
Dear
@ACinWY
, I had the pleasure of getting to know you during my time at Leeds University and know you are a firm friend of Ukraine and the cause of Ukrainian victory. I would be honoured to have your support for
@UKFriendUkraine
#UkraineMustWin
campaign.
It was absolutely fantastic to speak at Shipley Conservative Club this evening. A brilliant turnout and great questions on everything from housing and crime to infrastructure and economic development.
๐จAire Street Workshops closure๐จ
Today, Cllr Alan Lamb and myself had the pleasure of visiting Aire Street Workshops in Leeds.
We were blown away by what an incredible asset the workshops are for West Yorkshire, hosting over 50 creative, small businesses and acting asโฆ
A massive congratulations to
@NickFletcherMP
and
@NickAllen1987
who I know have been tireless in their campaigning to save Doncaster Airport.
This is good step in the right direction and good news for every part of Yorkshire.
#SaveDSA
Down at the Houses of Parliament today, talking about investment in research and development, and how that can bring high salary, great jobs to towns and cities across the UK ๐
As West Yorkshire Mayor I will use my business experience to bring big investment to our region ๐ท
Iโve always tried to treat my political opponents with courtesy and respect. In my experience the vast majority of people in politics are there because they want to do good - our differences are usually about how best to do that good.
This interaction is great to see.
It was really good to visit
@54northhomes
excellent Railway Street housing development in Leeds today. That scheme is an exemplary example of the type of brownfield development I will encourage as Mayor.
Today we welcomed mayoral candidate Arnie Craven
@ACforWY
to our Railway Street development in
#Leeds
We're proud to be part of
@WYHousing
who have offered to meet all the election candidates to discuss the region's housing priorities & how we're key to solving the housing crisis
There will be a lot of pontificating in the days ahead as to whether the Conservatives were too centrist so lost Reform votes, or too right wing so alienated the centre.
But what I saw through the campaign accords much more with the below charts. Competence was the
#1
issue.
Key chart to keep in mind as the Conservatives suffer their worst ever defeat:
The Tories didnโt lose this election because they were too right wing on some issues or too left wing on others.
They lost because voters of all stripes judged them to be incompetent and dishonest.
Great to speak to journalists this afternoon now West Yorkshire has made the decision to franchise buses ๐
The decision has been made. It isnโt what I wouldโve done - I wouldโve tried EP+ first - but it has happened. Two things must come next:
The Mayor and Council Leaders
Excellent to be joined by the Prime Minister in West Yorkshire yesterday.
I was delighted that the PM had a lot to say about the Championship promotion race, given his love of Southampton.
Although as an
@LUFC
fan, Iโm clear Iโd much prefer to be on 76 points than 70โฆ
Great to catch up with Beckie and Mark from the CBI this week, talking about all things West Yorkshire.
The CBI has published a West Yorkshire manifesto, and I am really impressed with their focus on getting things done.
Weโve had a lot of talking in West Yorkshire. Now itโs
I am incredibly concerned about the White Rose Railway Station situation.
This WYCA project risks becoming a case study in how not to build infrastructure.
We need leadership and a clear timetable for work concluding.
Iโll be talking on LBC News throughout today discussing my vision for West Yorkshire, and how I will focus on:
Delivering mass transit, not just talking about it ๐
Building more houses ๐๏ธ
Achieving world class adult education ๐
The police turning up when you need them ๐ฎ
Genuinely brilliant to see an electric train running on part of the Transpennine line, east of Manchester.
Thereโs still a long way to go, but this is a big step forward towards a clean, fast, electrified railway link between West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester ๐
๐ Last week, we successfully tested an electric train between
#ManchesterVictoria
&
#Stalybridge
.
๐This marks a significant step towards a fully electrified line through this area by the end of the yearโก๏ธ
Fine out moreโก๏ธ
@northernassist
It was great to pop down to Wakefield and deliver leaflets with
@NaeemFormuli
and
@samharveyrural
this week.
Itโs very clear that voters are questioning the performance of our regional government - the Mayor and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Iโve been thinking a lot about this since meeting with Aire Street tenants yesterday.
Iโm not usually shocked, but I genuinely canโt believe Labour controlled Leeds Council wants to commit this act of cultural and economic vandalism, and the Labour Mayor is nowhere to be seen.
Today Iโve had an incredibly concerning meeting, alongside Cllr Alan Lamb, with tenants of Aire Street Workshops - which is threatened with closure - in Leeds.
A full video is coming soon, but Aire Street Workshops is a massive asset for West Yorkshire - home to over 50
In West Yorkshire we talk about mass transit. In the West Midlands they build it.
That needs to change.
West Yorkshire needs a reliable, efficient mass transit system. As Mayor, thatโs what Iโll deliver ๐
Great progress on the Metro on Kings Street in Dudley ๐ช๐ป
The metro extension to the Town Centre will open THIS YEAR, creating much better public transport links for the Black Country ๐๐ป
This extension has been talked about for years - but weโve stepped up and made it happen โ
Iโm delighted to have been selected as Conservative Candidate for West Yorkshire. West Yorkshire Mayor is one of the best jobs in British politics, and I believe West Yorkshire is already the best place in the UK. 1/2
I will make West Yorkshire a great place to construct high quality homes on brownfield sites.
But developers must do their bit as well. As Mayor I would expect new apartments, if built for sale, to come with a share of freehold as standard.
As Mayor, I will work with the five councils to identify suitable brownfield sites for development - then we will agree Local Development Orders (LDOs) for those areas. ๐
LDOs will reduce the uncertainties of planning and make it easier to build the homes we need ๐ก
Whilst London focussed, this is interesting for the whole UK.
Brownfield must play a key role in addressing the housing crisis, but we need to have an honest conversation about what โGreen Beltโ really is.
Not all of it is beautiful, unspoilt fields.
๐๏ธ Our polling on the ๐ก crisis is in todayโs Sunday
@Telegraph
We found that there was net support for building on metropolitan green belt land if a proportion of the profit was given to locals
Rejoice! After I challenged the Mayor on this a comment has now been provided.
I build infrastructure for a living. I know infrastructure projects only succeed when they enjoy strong, professional leadership.
If I was Mayor yesterday, I would have said:
โStopping work on the
I will be voting for
@NickAllen1987
for South Yorkshire Mayor.
Nick is a fantastic
#Conservatives
representative, who puts constituents first.
Civility
Professional
Respectful
Got a stakehold in South Yorkshire, vote
#Conservatives
I donโt like making it look like I have something to hide on the ballot paper.
I live in a normal end terrace within walking distance of Wakefield City Centre.
But when boundaries of reasonable behaviour towards politicians are breaking down, what choice do people have?
And now we are done. Polls have closed!
A massive thank you to everyone who has gone out to leaflet, door knock, phone bank and, ultimately, vote for me.
Now we wait until Saturday โ
๐จFA Cup Replays๐จ
One of the things Iโve been struck by in the Mayoral campaign is what an amazing role lower league and non league football teams, like my local team
@PonteCollsFC
, play in their communities.
In areas like education and health, those teams fulfil a really
Under current leadership, West Yorkshire Combined Authority is failing to build a railway station - with construction still paused on White Rose - and has had to close Bradford Interchange for months, a bus station it owns and is supposed to maintain.
If you struggle to keep an
Weโve used our brownfield-first approach to unlock derelict sites like Bilston Urban Village to deliver new jobs ๐๏ธ
Weโve also used it to set the national pace for housebuilding & smash our affordable targets ๐
Delighted to have the backing of local businessman Dominic Goold๐ค๐ป
Thereโs an interesting debate to be had about the accountability of Mayoral Combined Authorities, and whether we should look towards the directly elected London Assembly - although I know the Assembly faces criticism - as a potential model to follow.
Important intervention by the National Audit Office, which suggests "a review" is required as the accountability of combined authorities is "not commensurate" with the scale of their investment.
It's "open to question" whether the Local Audit and Accountability Act is adequate.