2024 UK local government election
The 2024 Liverpool City Region mayoral election was held on 2 May 2024 to elect the mayor of the Liverpool City Region, with results declared on 4 May. The election was part of the 2024 United Kingdom local elections across England and Wales.
Steve Rotheram, of the Labour Party, was re-elected for a third term.
Background.
The position of Mayor of the Liverpool City Region was created in 2017 following a devolution deal between the UK government and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA). The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 required a directly elected metro mayor for combined authorities to receive additional powers from central government. Under the terms of the devolution deal, the first mayoral term was set to last until 2020, followed by elections every four years. The election originally due to take place in May 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Liverpool City Region is defined as having six boroughs which includes the county of Merseyside (Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton, and Wirral) and the Borough of Halton.
Steve Rotheram, the Labour candidate, won the initial election in 2017 and was re-elected in the delayed 2021 election.
Electoral system.
This election was the first to use first-past-the-post to elect the mayor as a result of the changes made by the Elections Act 2022, with the previous elections in 2017 and 2021 using the supplementary vote system. Voters were able to vote for a single candidate, and the candidate who received the most votes will be elected mayor.
All registered electors living in the Liverpool City Region aged 18 or over on 2 May 2024 were entitled to vote in the mayoral election. Those who are temporarily away from the Liverpool City Region (for example, away working, on holiday, in student accommodation or in hospital) were also entitled to vote in the mayoral election. The deadline to register to vote in the election was 16 April 2024.
Campaign.
Rotheram, the incumbent Labour mayor, said that if re-elected he would build three new Merseyrail stations across the region by 2030, in Woodchurch, Carr Mill and Daresbury.
Green Party candidate Tom Crone's priorities include "an expanded home insulation program that will save people money on their bills lifting many out of fuel poverty. Training in the green jobs of the future so people are ready to be part of the transition to net zero. And a properly joined up public transport and active travel network making travel easier and cleaner around the city region."
Rob McAllister-Bell, the Liberal Democrats candidate, said he would introduce contactless payment across public transport in the region by 2026. He also promised to give elected politicians more power on the combined authority.
Independent candidate, Ian Smith is an independent councillor in Merseyside. He said he wants the region to be "united, ambitious, egalitarian and environmentally sensitive" and wants inclusivity to be a priority. He set out his vision for the region to focus on innovation and science, and to update the transport network. He also stated his desire to end rough sleeping.
Candidates.
Labour.
Steve Rotheram, who has served as mayor of the Liverpool City Region since the inaugural election in 2017, and previously served as Member of Parliament for Liverpool, Walton, stood for re-election.
Conservatives.
The Conservative Party re-opened their selection in January 2024 after receiving a single application, from the party's 2021 candidate Jade Marsden. The local party chair sought more candidates given "strong and widespread opposition to Jade Marsden standing for the LCRMM role again given her past performance as a candidate". Marsden was later confirmed as the party's candidate.
Green Party.
Tom Crone, leader of Liverpool Green Party, councilor for St Michael's, and previous mayoral candidate, stood for the Greens.
Liberal Democrats.
Rob McAllister-Bell, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Liverpool City Council, was announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate in March 2024.
Independent.
Ian Smith stood as an independent candidate. He self-describes as a socialist and campaigns for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza war.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 17em"|Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em"|Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em"|%
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! colspan="3" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 0.5em" scope=row | Turnout
! style="text-align:right;" | Swing
References.
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