Liverpool mayoral candidate: Rob McAllister-Bell

Liberal Democrat candidate Rob McAllister-Bell

People living in the Liverpool City Region (the five Merseyside metropolitan boroughs of Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral, plus Halton in Cheshire) will elect their next mayor on 2 May. Here's what you need to know about all of the candidates and their top priorities.

Rob McAllister-Bell is deputy leader of the Lib Dems on Liverpool City Council

A councillor representing Mossley Hill, he also stood in the Liverpool Riverside constituency in the 2019 general election. He has spoken about his experiences as an openly gay and disabled man in politics.

He says he is determined to eradicate homelessness

Driven by the experiences of his mum who was homeless in Liverpool as a teenager, he is passionate about improving housing and thinks better cross-borough working could help.

Mr McAllister-Bell wants significant investment in transport

He thinks one example would be to establish a direct connection to Liverpool John Lennon Airport from the new Everton Stadium and beyond.

He wants Liverpool to be a 'business-friendly' city

Mr McAllister-Bell is keen for the city to grow and attract high quality and well-paying jobs in growth sectors

Give power back to the people, says Mr McAllister-Bell

If elected, he promises to attend a meeting of each local authority and face questions about the work the city region is doing. He says he would want to "make sure I'm out across the city region, talking to residents, communities, and local leaders. Even here in Liverpool, the City Region can feel distant because there is no accountability or proper scrutiny."

He wants to make public transport easier to use

He wants e-ticketing systems and "tap-on, tap-off" technology to be introduced on public transport within two years.

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