East Yorkshire Prepares to Elect First Mayor

The first Mayoral election takes place in Hull and East Yorkshire on Thursday, we look at everything you need to know, from who is running, to why there is an election in the first place.

On Thursday, May 1, voters from across Hull and East Yorkshire will elect the first-ever Mayor of the newly-created Combined Authority. The new Mayor role is part of the devolution deal signed off by the Government in September 2024. The deal meant that the areas under the jurisdiction of both Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will receive an extra layer of governance in the form of the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority.

This does not mean that the two councils are combining or being replaced by the Combined Authority. Such a model already exists in a number of regions across England such as in the North West where the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has not meant the end of the likes of Manchester City Council, Salford City Council etc.

Put (very) simply, Combined Authorities tend to work on more ‘big picture’ matters such as regional transport strategy while the councils will continue to run their day-to-day services including bin collections and filling pot holes. The new Mayor will be the head of the Combined Authority and will act as the face of the region on the national stage, in the same way Andy Burnham comes to mind when you think of politics in Manchester. The new Mayor as Hull and East Yorkshire will essentially be the new figurehead of the region.

What will the Mayor do?

The Combined Authority will mean that more of the decisions that matter to people in Hull and East Yorkshire will be made in Hull and East Yorkshire rather than in Westminster. The Mayor will receive powers on the likes of transport, housing, and skills, which have until now largely been made by central Government.

The Mayor will also have the ability to essentially increase residents’ council tax by adding a Mayoral Precept to the council tax bill which would be used to help fund projects across the region though not all mayors choose to introduce a precept.

The Mayor will have to work collaboratively with the leaders of both Hull City Council and East Riding Council. Most decisions made by the Mayor will need to have the support of the council leaders themselves.

Who is running?

Six candidates will appear on the ballot paper on May 1. 

Two of the candidates running are the current leaders of the two councils – Cllr Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council is running for the Liberal Democrats, while Cllr Anne Handley, the leader of East Riding Council, is running for the Conservatives. If either of the two council leaders were to win the election and become the Mayor, they would step down as the leader of their respective council. 

The full list of candidates is as follows:

• Reform UK: Luke Campbell
• Yorkshire Party : Rowan Halstead
• Conservative Party : Anne Handley
• Green Party: Kerry Harrison
• Labour Party : Margaret Pinder
• Liberal Democrats : Mike Ross

How to vote

Voting will take place on Thursday May 1st 2025 with the polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

Election officials say:

"When you arrive at the polling station, tell the election staff your name and address. You can take your poll letter with you, if you wish.

Please also show your photo ID when asked.

If the staff at the polling station are satisfied with your photo ID, they will give you a ballot paper, which is a list of people you can vote for.

Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote. You can ask a member of staff at the polling station for help or refer to guidance in the polling station."

Counting of the votes will take place on Friday from 09:30 with a result expected mid afternoon.

Here is a link to the Mayoral Elections Booklet which includes further information on the election and statements from the candidates.

A list of polling station locations can be found at https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/url-directory/election-notices/?entry=situation_of_polling_stations_combined_authority_mayoral_election