Let your voice be heard at the North East Mayoral Assembly

On Thursday May 2 people across the North East will have the ability to cast their vote in the North East Mayoral Election, but this is an election like no other.

For the first time, the elected mayor will have power over seven local authorities including Newcastle, County Durham, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and Northumberland, merged under a single North East Mayoral Combined Authority. Devolution deals like this one are nothing new and now cover around 60% of England, with the North East being the newest addition. 

Devolution will see a pretty generous flow of capital to the region but the shift in power will deliver considerably more decision-making powers to the elected Mayor. This devolution deal is a milestone for democracy in the region and it is bound to drastically change the political landscape. The North East is presented with an opportunity to address key issues and invest in a way that can have an immediate and tangible impact on people’s lives. Therefore, the prospective Mayor will bear great responsibility as a key power holder and it is important to ensure that they will listen to residents’ priorities and needs, act upon them and be held accountable. 

To make this possible, Tyne and Wear Citizens, in collaboration with Newcastle University, Newcastle University Student’s Union and Citizens Advice Newcastle, among others are planning a Mayoral Assembly. This will take place at Tyne Theater & Opera House on the 22 of April at 6pm. The organizing members have invited all candidates and have set out some key priority areas of interest to be discussed, namely: the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis, racial justice, mental health and transport. 

The confirmed candidates are James Driscoll as an Independent candidate, Kim McGuiness as a Labour candidate, Guy Renner-Thompson as a Conservative candidate, Andrew Gray for the Green Party and Dr. Aidan King for Liberal Democrats. Candidates will be asked to respond to the issues that Tyne and Wear Citizens have been campaigning on and elaborate on their plan of action if they are the next Mayor. 

This assembly is an opportunity for residents to show up, voice their concerns and take action. Candidates are expected to make positive commitments that will ultimately make the North East a better place. Residents have the opportunity to show up and make their voices heard on the issues that matter to them.

Those looking to register can do so by following the link: https://actionnetwork.org/events/tyne-wear-citizens-north-east-devolution-mayoral-assembly/

Written by Marilia Adamaiki