Mayoral candidate named 19 months before election

Ben Fletcher is the first candidate announced to stand as mayor of Cheshire and Warrington

A businessman is the first candidate selected to contest Cheshire and Warrington's mayoral election - almost two years before the vote is due to take place.

Conservative Ben Fletcher is currently chief finance and transformation officer at online retailer Very, and stood for the party at the 2024 general election in Crewe and Nantwich, finishing second to Labour.

Mr Fletcher said he thought it was important to "engage people early and build their understanding of what the mayoralty's all about".

The other major parties have not yet named their candidates for the election, which is set to happen in May 2027.

Cheshire and Warrington is currently going through a devolution process, after being named as one of six areas on a government priority programme.

The area's three local authorities, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington, have backed the devolution proposals.

Cheshire and Warrington's first mayoral election was supposed to take place in May 2026, but it has been pushed back by a year.

Leaders in the area previously said the delay would allow Cheshire "more time to put in place the right foundations".

The 2027 date would also align with full council elections on Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils.

A new combined authority is set to cover the three council areas and come into force in early 2026

Mr Fletcher said being mayor would be "a big job with big responsibilities, big opportunities to make a difference".

"We think it's right to go and engage people early and build their understanding of what the mayoralty's all about," he said.

"[And] why selecting a business leader who's proven themselves in the real world would be the best choice for Cheshire and Warrington."

He added he was excited to "take our seat at the top table".

"I want to be a relentless champion for the place that I am proud to call home, where I have raised my family, where we live and love."

Ben Fletcher was selected after a hustings

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform all said they had not yet named their candidates. The Green Party has not yet responded to the BBC's request for comment.