A quick guide to West Midlands mayoral candidate Sunny Virk
- Published
Sunny Virk is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the West Midlands' mayoral election. Here’s what you need to know about him.
He has a legal background
Mr Virk is a barrister and mediator who studied law in London after going to a state school in the West Midlands. After working in the capital, he said he came back to the region to raise his family and works in the legal industry.
He has a passion for politics and his family
Mr Virk hails from Coventry and says he has had a passion for politics for many years. He lives with his wife and son and they have a golden retriever.
His targets are housing and transport
If elected mayor, he says his priorities would be "quality, affordable homes" and improving people's skills to boost local businesses and the jobs market. He also wants to see a reliable public transport network as an alternative to people driving their own cars.
He believes the Lib Dems can the right the wrongs of other parties
Mr Virk says the Liberal Democrats offer "value-led politics", building a "fair, free and open society".
He cites Birmingham City Council's financial crisis and the Government's PPE scandal and "partygate" as reasons to avoid the two mainstream parties.
"I urge voters to find a better way. Voting Liberal Democrat can break this vicious cycle of a two-party choice," he says.
He stood in a 2023 by-election
Mr Virk was the Liberal Democrat candidate in October's Tamworth by-election which Labour won.
A traveller and a fundraiser
Mr Virk says he enjoys travelling. He's also taken part in fundraising for charities including running the London Marathon for Save the Rhino and climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro for Zoë's Place Baby Hospice.
