Greater Manchester mayoral candidate: Laura Evans

The Conservatives' Laura Evans

People living in Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs will elect their next mayor on 2 May. Here's what you need to know about all of the candidates and their top priorities.

Tory candidate Laura Evans says she's 'excited' about challenging incumbent Andy Burnham

The former Trafford councillor, who lives in Altrincham and works in IT, came second in the 2021 mayoral election. She says Mr Burnham has been an "utter and total failure". Ms Evans stepped in to become the Conservative candidate after Dan Barker defected to Reform UK in March.

We need to focus on tackling crime, says Ms Evans

As mayor, she says she will "take on the gangs who burgle homes, steal cars and groom young people" across Greater Manchester.

She wants to end rough sleeping

Ms Evans argues this can be best tackled by improving mental health and reducing unemployment and broken homes through a new Homes for Life programme.

More investment is needed in public transport, she says

Ms Evans wants to see the Metrolink tram network expand to all 10 boroughs and for "hard-to-reach" towns to have improved bus connections.

I want to bring more tech jobs to the region, says Ms Evans

She wants to create an investment zone or "new Silicon Valley" in the region, with more than 30,000 new jobs in advanced manufacturing, science and industry.

Ms Evans says protecting green spaces is important to her

She pledges to build "thousands of new, affordable homes on derelict land and disused sites" rather than on green spaces.

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