Mayor explains his 'heart's not working as well'

Nik Johnson said he did not have the energy to run for a second term as mayor

A mayor who changed his plans to stand for re-election said he did not have the energy to "keep going".

Nik Johnson, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's combined authority mayor, told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Chris Mann that he had been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

"My heart's not working as well – that puts a strain on it," said Johnson, who has had open heart surgery twice since he took office in 2021.

Johnson said he had a "moment of clarity" about running for another four-year term after speaking with doctors and considering the challenges ahead.

"I was ready to kick on 1 May," he said.

"The truth is, I knew there were a few issues as a handover from previous health problems."

In November, Johnson announced plans to be the Labour party candidate in the elections, shortly before Paul Bristow was nominated as the Conservative candidate and Lorna Dupre for the Liberal Democrats.

'Obviously frustrated'

Johnson, a children's doctor, said he saw his GP after beginning to feel "quite tired", at which point he resumed regular reviews at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.

He said he was diagnosed with ventricular bigeminy, a type of irregular heartbeat, which was "so significant" it meant his heart was not working as effectively.

"I tire quite easily," he said.

"Ultimately if my heart's not working as well, that puts a strain on it."

Johnson said he was "obviously frustrated" for the Labour Party, which will now announce a new candidate for the elections, but that he did not have "that level of energy to keep going".

After Johnson announced his plans to step down on Friday, he said he had received "some really lovely" messages of support from people.

He added: "I haven't slept so well... in years."