North East Mayor elections: Who is Guy Renner-Thompson?

Guy Renner-Thompson is running as the Conservative Party candidate for North East Mayor

Voters will elect the first ever North East mayor on 2 May.

The winner will represent two million people living in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham and will get powers and funding from Westminster to make decisions locally.

Guy Renner-Thompson is the Conservative Party candidate

He is a Northumberland County Councillor and has represented Bamburgh since 2017. Mr Renner-Thompson, 32, was born in the region and says his family have lived and worked around Blyth and Whitley Bay for generations. He also runs a construction business and is a director at a number of companies in Northumberland.

His top priority is 'jobs, jobs and more jobs'

Mr Renner-Thompson says his whole plan revolves around making the region the home of the jobs of the future. He said: "There is no better way out of hardship for families than secure, well-paid employment."

He says he will put more money in people's pockets

Mr Renner-Thompson said he planned to do this by boosting the economy and increasing wages.

He says he is not a 'career politician'

When asked why he was the best person for the job, Mr Renner-Thompson said: "Only I have the right plan and vision to push the North East forward and realise our full potential." He also said running his own construction business had shaped his policies which include grants for small businesses and opposing Clean Air Zone charges.

He says he will focus on each village, town and city

He says every area has its challenges and that he will make sure the benefits of devolution and its cash is spread to every corner of the North East from Barnard Castle to Berwick-upon-Tweed.

He says people are the best thing about the North East

He said: "There is nothing I love more than sitting in a pub on a weekend with friends or strangers putting the world to rights."