New Tory mayor candidate Laura Evans slams Andy Burnham's 'failure'

Laura Evans says she will spend the city region's money wisely

The new Conservative candidate running for mayor of Greater Manchester has branded incumbent mayor Andy Burnham a "utter and total failure".

Laura Evans who replaced the previous candidate, Dan Barker, who defected to Reform UK said she would make better use of public money.

Mrs Evans came second in the last mayoral election in 2021.

A spokesman for Labour metro mayor Andy Burnham said he had provided "seven years of delivery".

Mrs Evans also rebutted Mr Barker's claim made on Thursday that the Tories had "given up on the north of England".

She said: "I find it totally disappointing and I'm sorry he feels that way - it's not how I have ever felt.

"I belong to the Conservative Party, heart and soul, and I will never change."

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Mrs Evans, who said she was excited to be the candidate, told BBC Radio Manchester Mr Burnham's time in office had seen no real drive for success.

She added: "Rough sleeping is a perfect example - we're no better off.

"It was supposed to be gone in the first year.

"We have had more and more excuses - Covid was an excuse, this was an excuse, that was an excuse.

"It is just one example of utter and total failure."

She added: "This is absolutely a unique area and it is getting loads of investment but every time the money arrives it is always 'I need a bit more money - that is not quite enough'."

Mrs Evans said: "The fact is you have to make that money work for you."

'Tory in-fighting'

A statement from Mr Burnham's office said: "Laura must have been too busy with the Tory in-fighting to notice all the positive things that have happened in Greater Manchester.

"The Greater Manchester economy is growing faster than the UK economy.

"Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service is now the best fire service in the country. Greater Manchester Police is the fastest-improving police force according to His Majesty's Inspectorate with more than 1600 officers in post since Andy was elected.

"Greater Manchester is the first city region to end four decades of disastrous Tory deregulation of buses, including leading the way with lower fares.

"Greater Manchester has secured the ground-breaking Trailblazer devolution deal with the Government. That is seven years of delivery made all the more remarkable when we've had seven years of a failing Tory government."

The election is on 2 May.