Tracy Brabin MP has today launched her bid to become West Yorkshire’s new Mayor, pledging to make the region ‘the best place to live, work and raise a family’.

The MP for Batley and Spen opened her campaign by putting job creation, housing and the region’s creaking transport infrastructure at the heart of her platform.

The former Coronation Street actress became an MP in 2016 following the murder of her friend, Jo Cox. She grew up in the constituency on a local council estate in Howden Clough.

She was clear that cutting our way to post-Covid-19 recovery would not work, pledging investment in climate jobs and a new green economy alongside a plan to bring creative industry and arts investment to the region.

The role of West Yorkshire Mayor has been established as part of devolution deal with the Government and will see a range of powers and responsibilities transferred to the Mayor and Combined Authority of Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale, as well as a £1.8 billion investment to drive up living standards through better transport, improved skills and stronger businesses, and tackle the climate emergency.

Commenting on her candidacy, Tracy Brabin said: “I want to do politics differently here in West Yorkshire. I'm born and bred here and am so incredibly proud to represent my home as an MP. 

"Too many areas of our region have been forgotten for too long - we need investment in jobs, transport, housing, and skills for young people and those who need to retrain - these will be my priorities.

"I'm not your traditional politician, I've come to politics through a lot of real life experiences. I've worked in insecure jobs, worried about paying the bills, and I've had a wonderful career in acting and writing. I can bring something different to this role, I'll be a different sort of Mayor who listens in order to lead and who isn't distant in a City Hall somewhere, but right there at the grassroots with the people and communities I grew up in.”