• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Wednesday May 7 2025

New metro mayor pledges renewed cross-party partnership, promising Labour, Lib Dem and Green deputies

The new West of England metro mayor has pledged to work cross-party for the West Country.

Helen Godwin was sworn-in as the new Mayor of the West of England today (Wednesday) having won an election for the post last Thursday.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority plays a key role across the region – which is home to almost one million people – working to deliver progress in areas such as jobs and growth, transport, skills, the environment, planning and housing, and business support.

Following meetings with the leaders of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire councils, Helen has announced her first deputy mayor.

Councillor Kevin Guy, the leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, will take up the position. Vacant since 2021, the role will now rotate each year between the leaders of the local councils.

“I meant what I said during the election campaign. To get the best for all of us in the West Country, politicians must put politics to one side,” said Helen.

“That’s how we’ll lay the Bristol to Portishead Line, build new affordable homes, and help create the jobs of the future.”

“Together, working with the Labour government, we will get things moving in the West of England. In that spirit of renewed collaboration, I’m delighted to appoint Councillor Kevin Guy to serve as my first deputy mayor.

“I’m proud to be from and for our region so am working right away across party lines with Kevin, Tony (Dyer), Maggie (Tyrrell), and Ian (Boulton). We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Our residents deserve nothing less, and that’s the only way that we will make things happen.”

Liberal Democrat Kevin said: “I congratulate Helen Godwin on her new role as Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority.

“We now have an opportunity to create a collaborative working relationship across the region, ensuring we get at least our fair share of central government funding, and moving ahead with key projects.

“I am personally honoured to be asked to take on the role of Deputy Mayor of the Authority and feel this is also a great thing for B&NES. I look forward to working together closely to deliver what our communities need.”

Tony Dyer, the Green leader of Bristol City Council, said: “Congratulations to Helen on becoming the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority. I’m grateful that she took the time to call me on her first day about our shared ambitions for the region and look forward to working together.

“Helen is starting her new role at a critical time for our region’s economy with many opportunities ahead for our Combined Authority to deliver valuable and meaningful change for people living, working and studying in Bristol.

“Working alongside Helen and my counterparts in the region’s other local authorities I hope to continue our efforts to bring these valuable working relationships closer for the benefit of all of us.”

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, the Liberal Democrat co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council with Ian Boulton (Labour), said: “Since forming the administration at South Gloucestershire Council nearly two years ago, we have actively worked with our fellow leaders and officers to positively reset the relationships between the Unitary Authorities and the Combined Authority following years of well-reported challenges.

“We believe Helen now how has the best possible opportunity to take advantage of the greater spirit of collaboration we now enjoy with our partners and we look forward to working together to unlock the amazing potential for prosperity our region has for the benefit of our residents, businesses and the national economy.”

Image: West of England Mayoral Combined Authority / Freia Turland